Home Eye Testing

Nebiroth

Registered User
Aug 20, 2006
3,510
0
I wonder if anyone has had experience with this? Have you managed to get someone with dementia qualifying for a free home test? We mentioned it but the medics seemed to think that if someone can walk they can go to the optician. Try doing that with someone who gets lost, confused, angry and frightened in strange surroundings. Let alone taken to an optician who wants you to put your head into scary looking machinery and do complicated tests (just reading the eyechart would be bad enough!).

I am thinking of using an outfit called The Outside Clinic who specialise in home tests, including free ones to people to are "entitled".

Has anyone used them?

Or do they know of anyone who could do home tests, possibly with opticians who are trained to deal with people with dementia?

I know Dad would find the tests a lot less confusing and frightening if they could be done at home. I feel that going to a shop would be pointless and achieve nothing.
 

suem

Registered User
Jul 1, 2005
61
0
Worcestershire
We used the Outside clinic. My husbands test was free as he is over 60. I think it is only age that makes you exempt not the illness. They were ok and managed him alright. I will say their glasses are expensive. So I would suggest you just get the prescription and go elsewhere for the glasses, thats if you Dad could cope with a fitting from at a high street store, otherwise you will have to pay for the privilege of them coming to your home.
 

Nebiroth

Registered User
Aug 20, 2006
3,510
0
Oh, that would be great news. I know that people are 60 are entitled to a free test, but I didn't think that this included a free home visit - I assumed that because these usually cost a bit more (though not much) then you would need to show you weren't able to go to an optician. I would not mind paying the extra, or even if we had to get a free actual test, but had to pay the difference because it was done as a home visit.

Can you tell me what the visit was like? What equipment did they use? For example, when doing the sight chart, was it just an illuminated box they put on a table or something like that? Did they need a certain amount of space, or a table? Did they use mirrors? Dad sometimes confuses his reflection as being someone else.

From what I gather the machine they use to test for glaucoma is a lot less intimidating than the great big ones in the highstreet because it is portable and thus much smaller.
 

suem

Registered User
Jul 1, 2005
61
0
Worcestershire
You need to make the point when you book it is someone over 60 or they might try to charge you. They came with a case of stuff and used a light box for the chart that they put on the coffee table. They did it in the lounge with the curtains shut, just need room for the optician to move round. I don't remember mirrors being used. Also suggest when you book it you mention it is someone with dementia so they are prepared to give instructions slowly and repeat them which they did with my husband but they were very patient.
 

Nebiroth

Registered User
Aug 20, 2006
3,510
0
Thanks, that's very helpful.

I am thinking of taking a test myself which may set Dad's mind at ease, I can say "that was very easy, why don't we get your eyes tested as well, the lady/man was very nice".
 

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