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Opthalmologist appointment

  • 22-05-2016 7:21am
    #1
    Speedwell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭


    Is there any way that you can get an ophthalmologist appointment on the medical card without having to buy your glasses from the same shop?


Comments

  • #2
    dudara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Post split out from old thread and moved to Eyecare forum

    dudara


  • #3
    UsedToWait
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭UsedToWait


    Speedwell wrote: »
    Is there any way that you can get an ophthalmologist appointment on the medical card without having to buy your glasses from the same shop?

    In general, the person you'd see in a shop (Opticians) would be an Optometrist rather than an Ophthalmologist.
    If they had a concern about your eyes, they would refer you to an Ophthalmologist (your GP could also refer you, but they might ask you to visit your Optician first for an eye exam).

    With the medical card, you could be referred to your Community Ophthalmologist in the Primary Care system, or you could be sent to a hospital Ophthalmologist (where outpatient appointments don't require a medical card).

    Just be aware that waiting times for non-urgent appointments (e.g. Cataract) can be lengthy..


  • #4
    Speedwell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,809 ✭✭✭Speedwell


    Huh, OK. It just happened that the shop I went into to purchase my last pair of glasses (before I had the medical card) was owned and operated by an ophthalmologist, so she must clearly have been acting as an optometrist as well.

    Let me rephrase my question, then.

    As a medical card holder, must I purchase the glasses from the same shop in which I had my eye exam, or may I take my exam results and measurements to a different (possibly online) retailer (with or without receiving medical card benefits from the second retailer)?


  • #5
    UsedToWait
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭UsedToWait


    Speedwell wrote: »
    Huh, OK. It just happened that the shop I went into to purchase my last pair of glasses (before I had the medical card) was owned and operated by an ophthalmologist, so she must clearly have been acting as an optometrist as well.

    Let me rephrase my question, then.

    As a medical card holder, must I purchase the glasses from the same shop in which I had my eye exam, or may I take my exam results and measurements to a different (possibly online) retailer (with or without receiving medical card benefits from the second retailer)?

    Ah, that would be outside my frame of reference (pardon the pun)..

    Regarding using your medical card entitlement, you'd need to contact the Optical Benefit section of your local Primary Care for clarification if no one on here can answer that.

    In general though, your Optician should give you a copy of your glasses prescription if you ask.


  • #6
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    I saw an optamologist in fairview recently and used my medical card.


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  • #7
    Daisies
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭Daisies


    Speedwell wrote: »
    Huh, OK. It just happened that the shop I went into to purchase my last pair of glasses (before I had the medical card) was owned and operated by an ophthalmologist, so she must clearly have been acting as an optometrist as well.

    Let me rephrase my question, then.

    As a medical card holder, must I purchase the glasses from the same shop in which I had my eye exam, or may I take my exam results and measurements to a different (possibly online) retailer (with or without receiving medical card benefits from the second retailer)?

    If you wanted to do that you would have to submit two separate applications for medical card approval (two green forms) with a stamp from the practise in question in the correct place (you will see that there is a stamp section for eye test and for dispensing). It will likely take longer to approve and the Optical Benefit section may query why you are doing that. Obviously if you are not going to use your medical card entitlement to buy the glasses then it is easier, just do the eye test and ask for a copy of your prescription


  • #8
    January
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,862 ✭✭✭✭January


    Is the same true for PRSI eye tests? I had an eye test a few years ago under the PRSI benefit when I asked for my prescription to go elsewhere, they charged me for the prescription.


  • #9
    Daisies
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭Daisies


    January wrote: »
    Is the same true for PRSI eye tests? I had an eye test a few years ago under the PRSI benefit when I asked for my prescription to go elsewhere, they charged me for the prescription.

    PRSI no longer covers any amount towards glasses, just to the sight test. Nowhere should charge you for the prescription, you are entitled to it after the eye exam.


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