[Lake Isle]

My son (2 and a half) wears prescription glasses. The NHS provide free eyecare (not including second frames etc...) What does NZ do for Children who need prescription glasses?

[sizzlingbadger]

Unfortunately no free prescription glasses here for kids.

We've just found out my daughter is long sighted and needs glasses permanently at the moment, she may grow out of it but we're not sure yet.

The bill $480 for consultation, drops and glasses :exit Not sure if it's any cheaper else where but it certainly was a shock to the system when we weren't expecting it.

[Tanya]

So far we have paid for our daughter:

$65 initial consultation
$30 follow up consulation
$80 frame (the cheapest - they go over $300+!!)
$140 Lenses :(

back in Jan for another consultation - more costs!!!!

Tanya

[sizzlingbadger]

The cheapest frames we could get for her were $280 :( The 'Barbie' ones were $340, luckily we steered her away from those :D

[veronica]

there are a few mail order opticians in the UK, may be worth looking into just sending them the prescription and getting the glasses sent out here.

[Tanya]

Hmm - I thought about that Veronica but the opticians over here don't give you a copy of the prescription :mad: - well ours didn't and have heard of others that don't either

Tanya

[anna_c]

I do know people (adults, though) who get prescriptions and then mail order them from the states, so it can be done.

[Tanya]

Well they're lucky then! Wish ours had!

I guess it depends on the optician.

Tanya

[veronica]

Perhaps you have to ask for it.

[Trigirl]

my optician has never volunteered a prescription but when i asked a couple of weeks back they agreed to give me both glasses and lens prescriptions. so perhaps you do have to ask.

[ruthyroo]

Yes, I wish I had got new glasses before coming out here.

Test $60
Frames $300
Lenses $199

Boom - that was our carefully crafted budget exploding...

[highlander]

Hi, we have had the same problem. The kids now need new glasses (old frames broken and prescription changed). The OH has also just badly scratched her lenses.

I found several places where you can order online, eg.

http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk
http://www.glasses2you.co.uk
http://www.glassescomplete.co.uk
http://specsdirectuk.com
http://www.spex4less.com

Most of these seem to offer basic glasses made to your prescription for around GBP 15.00 (around NZD 42.00) plus postage (which is not prohibitive).

Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) of any of these? Or can you recommend anywhere better? (eg perhaps US or India based?)

Thanks

Steve

[StevieD]

Yes, ask, it is your prescription, and the mail order specs from say Specsavers have got to be cheaper. Only problem is you can't try them on before they turn up in the post.

[highlander]

Well obviously you will have to pay for an eye test locally in NZ (which seems to cost around NZD 60) and then you can order your specs online (from the UK or wherever).

[I couldn't see anywhere to order online/mail order from SpecSavers though Stevie? And the last set I got there in the UK cost me GBP 80]

In our case we can measure our old frame dimensions and see how they compare to ones on the websites. You need to measure frame width, bridge width and arm length, then choose your preferred frame depth and lens diameter. Most of these sites tell you how to measure these in their FAQs.

There is an element of risk, but I think that given the prohibitive cost of replacing kids specs every year (both kids need them), it's probably worth trying. It should reduce the total cost from around NZD 350+ to around NZD 120 each. I'm sure I can do minor shape adjustments myself or the local optometrists will usually do minor fixes for free.

[highlander]

I just found an NZ based online company here >> www.opticalonline.co.nz

Seems like quite a good site, with loads of basic glasses at around NZD 80. Their description of the frames is detailed, giving all necessary dimensions.