Eye Tests

[SharoH]

Hi everyone
I recently took my OH to Specsavers for his yearly eye test and had pre-warned them that he has Alzheimer’s and may have difficulty processing information etc.
I went in with him and the test got underway but when it came to the part that he had to cover one eye then tell the lady whether his vision was better with lenses A or B, he was totally confused. The lady was very patient and kept repeating the question but I’m not convinced my OH could actually differentiate between the two, so the result being she said his sight had declined.
I’m not sure whether to try and get a second opinion but wondered whether anyone knows of anywhere that I could take him that has experience with patients with AZ and performs the test in a different way.
His eye sight seems ok and I don’t want to spend money on updated glasses if his current ones are ok.

 

[Rayreadynow]

Maybe get a cheap pair of glasses off the internet with the prescription and see what the results are.

 

[SeaSwallow]

@SharoH I used the Specsavers at home service for my husband. The technician was used to dealing with people who had dementia and was so patient and understanding.

 

[nitram]

The health of the eye will have been checked, how big was the prescription change?
If small and his eye sight seems OK I would not bother getting new glasses.

Was an autorefractor or retinoscope used?

 

[Neveradullday!]

@SharoH I used the Specsavers at home service for my husband. The technician was used to dealing with people who had dementia and was so patient and understanding.

Can I ask if Specsavers at home would give me an eye test too?
Also my mum doesn't really have a formal diagnosis from a memory clinic - she did spend over 3 weeks in hospital and it was obvious to them she had dementia - would Specsavers be OK with this?

 

[SeaSwallow]

Can I ask if Specsavers at home would give me an eye test too?
Also my mum doesn't really have a formal diagnosis from a memory clinic - she did spend over 3 weeks in hospital and it was obvious to them she had dementia - would Specsavers be OK with this?

I think that if the service is available in your area that they would test your mum, not so sure about yourself, but worth asking.

 

[nitram]

Can I ask if Specsavers at home would give me an eye test too?

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests/eligibility

 

[Neveradullday!]

I've just found https://www.mobile-optician.co.uk/about-us
Mobile opticians based in Warrington who cover the North West of England. They have experience with dementia patients.

I've just asked my mum about it - "no" was the answer (the answer's always no!).
I'll work on it.
They do private work too, so I should be alright.

 

[canary]

Hi @SharoH

What you need is an optician who is able to accurately test small children - it is done the same way for adults with cognitive difficulties.

If you know anyone with a young child who wears glasses ask them where they go. Otherwise look for an optician who displays children's glasses prominently and even better if they have a toy box in the waiting room. Small independent opticians are often better for this than the large chains. When you book the appointment say that he will have to be tested in the same way as a young child.

 

[SharoH]

@SharoH I used the Specsavers at home service for my husband. The technician was used to dealing with people who had dementia and was so patient and understanding.

Thank you, I hadn’t thought of that option.

 

[SharoH]

Hi @SharoH

What you need is an optician who is able to accurately test small children - it is done the same way for adults with cognitive difficulties.

If you know anyone with a young child who wears glasses ask them where they go. Otherwise look for an optician who displays children's glasses prominently and even better if they have a toy box in the waiting room. Small independent opticians are often better for this than the large chains. When you book the appointment say that he will have to be tested in the same way as a young child.

Thank you, that’s very useful.

 

[maintience]

Hi everyone
I recently took my OH to Specsavers for his yearly eye test and had pre-warned them that he has Alzheimer’s and may have difficulty processing information etc.
I went in with him and the test got underway but when it came to the part that he had to cover one eye then tell the lady whether his vision was better with lenses A or B, he was totally confused. The lady was very patient and kept repeating the question but I’m not convinced my OH could actually differentiate between the two, so the result being she said his sight had declined.
I’m not sure whether to try and get a second opinion but wondered whether anyone knows of anywhere that I could take him that has experience with patients with AZ and performs the test in a different way.
His eye sight seems ok and I don’t want to spend money on updated glasses if his current ones are ok.

I took my wife to a eye doctor to get new glasses and he told me there is no way they can do it because of Dementia. They are right.

 

[maintience]

I am thinking about moving us to another state and my wife's neurologist said not a good idea anyone have a thought about this??

 

[Neveradullday!]

I took my wife to a eye doctor to get new glasses and he told me there is no way they can do it because of Dementia. They are right.

Well, the mobile opticians (eye doctors) I've linked to above, say they have experience with dementia sufferers and if the eye test can't be done in the usual manner they can use picture tests, letter matching tests and other methods.

 

[SherwoodSue]

Hello are you in USA? Welcome from UK

Any move can cause problems for PWD, some moves are unavoidable in the persons best interest so it’s a balance of rush and benefits

 

[SherwoodSue]

The above a reply to maintenance sorry

 

[jennifer1967]

I took my wife to a eye doctor to get new glasses and he told me there is no way they can do it because of Dementia. They are right.

my husband has an eye test in the opticians [specsavers] although they have said he can have it at home. the home ones are used to all sorts of peoples needs. they are really very nice. i have my eyes done at home as i cant go out to them. i think you pay £25 for admin[probably the visit and coming out to fit them. i do need to get my eyes done again. there is a certain criteria that you have to meet for home service but dementia is not the only one, all disabilities.

 

[SarahJC]

Just an add onto posts- my mum went to Specsavers who couldn’t complete the tests with her so she was referred to the Royal Eye Infirmary. We went yesterday and was a real struggle for her and the staff doing numerous tests but we were informed she did t have glaucoma which was a relief. Whilst sitting there with her I did think that there will come a time when tests such as reading the letters on the board won’t be possible, it was hit and miss at this appointment even if physically I can get her there …..

 

[jennifer1967]

my husband cant have the diabetic eye screening because he can sit with his chin on the machine. same reason he cant have his cataracts done. it makes him feel sick.

 

[SarahJC]

Yes I can see that is a problem and is really challenging for the person to comply with expectations of the tests. I did wonder how my mum was going to get on with the lights test and pressing the button, glad we’ve got through that, three hours later!