Glaucoma in the family.

[gsr600]

Would my Wife who's sister has been diagnosed with Glaucoma need proof/letter to qualify for a free eye test - the opticians that my Wife has visited says it only applies to Mother or father not siblings,
well that seems to be untrue,
can't find the information at this time of searching.
Anybody shed some light on this.
Thanks.

[Mosaic]

My understanding is that glaucoma in either parent entitles you to a free eyetest. I have never ever been asked for proof of this. So you see, in converstaion with her sister I expect your wife will discover that their mother also had glaucoma, which she herself never knew abut but her sister did. An you get my drift.

[york310]

No proof needed. She signs the gos1 (nhs test form) to say this is true. Also having a sibling with glaucoma is viewed as a more relevant risk factor than having a parent with glaucoma and therefore is included in the NHS exemption list as long as the claimant is forty years old and above.

[twix123]

My brother has had Glaucoma for the last 55 years and I've never been asked to pay for an eye test, all I've had to do (until I reached 60) was to inform the optician and sign their form. On one occasion I offered to get my brother from our nearby office if they wanted proof, although they didn't take me up on it!

[bednobs]

how old is your wife? She needs to be above 40 to qualify

[gsr600]

she is above forty + a dozen - so the old fart qualifies

[Andyvon]

I was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2000. My grandfather went blind with glaucoma when he was 65 and my mother was diagnosed with it before she died. I get free eye tests every year on that basis.

Fortunately, my eye pressures have now reduced to normal after I stopped smoking and stopped taking a medicine it was decided I should never have had in the first place. It apparently induces glaucoma in people with a history of it but they never asked me! In 2000 I was supposed to have an appointment at the eye hospital but they never contacted me. I did enquire with the GP after four months but he huffily told me they were busy and I would just have to be patient. I'm still waiting!

The optician will ask you if there's glaucoma in your family gsr600. Then you should get a free eye test every year.