Free Eye Tests

[Caribeing]

I think everyone should have free eye tests
irrespective of status, income etc. Sight is a gift
and should be protected, not everyone needs
to wear glasses etc so why should the shortsighted be penalised. I suppose the same
applies to dentistry care! Your views

[SRH]

Absolutely! It's taxing those of us unfortunate enough to have dodgy eyesight. And while we're on the matter - women should get free tampons/towels!

[banjosister]

And that's another thing.............

tampons etc are all taxed as luxuries not necessities!

Bl00dy typical.

BB xx

[bednobs]

there is a government scheme whereby thse on the lowest incomes get free dental care and eye care, thus those that really cant afford it get it as opposed to those who just dont want to pay

[SRH]

Now I didn't know that! Gonna have to drag me off my soapbox! They're such an essential and aren't exactly cheap. Now if we had a female prime minister... oh, we did... and she took away free milk in schools :(

[york310]

In scotland everone is entitled to free (NHS) eye examinations. However the average cost is avout �20 and eye tests are usually every 2yrs. So �10 per year is not bad when you consider the cost of an MOT for your car which is annual.
The actual cost of the eye test is really probably about 60-80 for the chair time (staff cost, etc) and this is covered by the cost of spectacles sales

[Ethel]

Children and over 60s get free eye tests in England - every one pays unless they are on low income, where they may get it free or cheaper.

I'm fed up of a nanny state - everyone knows eye sight is important and �20 or so is not a lot to pay once every year or two.

Let adults take responsibility for themselves.

[MrXLA]

The government CANNOT AFFORD the existing NHS and other public services (in real terms the services are run at an overall loss, so how long do you think that can continue with an ever increasing population and demand on those services with no proportional increase in money collected through taxation....)
If YOU wish them to pay for ADDITIONAL services then YOU have to accept that it will COST YOU more money through taxation.
The other alternative would be to cut funding to other public services and the NHS.
Personally I'd rather 'pay' for my eyes and teeth (and the fees for both of those are heavily subsidised) and have my cardiac or cancer care available for no additional cost to me (other than taxes).

NB - the necessary increase in taxation would probably outway the financial benefit to most people by making sight tests and dentistry 'free' (or at least those that pay tax!!!!)

[MrXLA]

Oh as a little aside, with regards to dentistry, most dental conditions are NOT life threatening and almost all are a result of neglect and/or poor diet, whilst this applies in many medical conditions why on earth should EVERYONE have a tax increase to pay for something which individuals are capable of preventing themselves.

[Caribeing]

Mrxla
Agree with you on some points, I know the NHS is inundated etc, but the point I was making was
not everyone needs eye tests, I pay for "my
eyes and teeth "as I consider this an important
aspect of Health care, I don't agree with you that dentistry problems are through neglect, people
who look after their teeth can still develop
problems, I cracked my tooth after unexpectedly
eating an olive which contained a stone! I take
exceptional care of my teeth!!

[york310]

You say not every one 'needs' eye tests. Everyone should have an eye examination every one/two years depending on circumstances. They are a useful tool at diagnosing not just ocular problems like short sightedness, eyestrain, catarct etc but also systemic problems like diabetes/ high blood pressure, raised cholesterol. They can also help detect changes behind the eyes like tumours and raised intra cranial pressure. This topic was recently on the BBC program The One Show and I advise any sceptics to watch it. (available on BBC I player http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b009lxg k.shtml?q=the+one+show&start=1&scope=iplayerse arch&go=Find+Programmes&version_pid=b009lx9s)

[MrXLA]

I agree with you york310 regarding the importance of routine eye tests (I myself attend more often than the recommended recall). In an ideal world all healthcare would be available through taxation, but it isn't an ideal world.

OH and Mary T please, you seem like an intelligent person are you seriously suggesting that on the basis that you broke a tooth once chewing an olive that all the research in the UK and around the globe is invalid, surely not!!!
Here a few 'dental' conditions for you NOT due to neglect:
- trauma
- Oral cancer (although this is a very contensciouss issue, becuase your are ten times more likely to have this if you drink alcohol and smoke)
- other oral malignancy
- congenital dental/oral defects e.g. cleft lip and palate (usually dealt with through maxillofacial surgery and specialist restorative dentists and orthodontists)
- malocclusion (not life threatening)
- attrition/wear
- fracture of teeth during mastication/'chewing' (although its unusual to fracture a clinically sound tooth, even on a stone if the occlusion and periodontium are sound and the masticatory apparatus is in harmony although I accept that it happens)
....there is a long list....

Here are 2 conditions that in general are caused/initiated/excacerbated by neglect of some type:
1) Dental caries AKA 'dental decay'
2) Periodontal/'gum disease'

The above 2 conditions account for more than 90% of dental diseases/conditions (and the money spent on dentistry by the government and therefore the taxpayer) and are largely entirely preventable through ones OWN actions.

Eyes on the other hand as york310 correctly points out are in a different category.

Thats not say that countless conditions (medical and dental) cannot be detected through routine oral screening (which I believe to be very important, everyone should have regular oral

[MrXLA]

..health exams, but who should pay for it???