Eyecare

[alison43331]

Hi

Can anybody explain what my friend's eye prescription means as follows

R) +225/-350/31

L) +175/-275/142

My friend would like to know whether or not she would qualify for NHS voucher for help for 'Complex Lenses'. The lowest one stipulates that

'Grade A: £37.50

Glasses with single vision lenses:

• with a spherical power of no more than 6 dioptres and a cylindrical power of no more than 2 dioptres'

I have no idea what this means. Please could somebody explain? Would her employer be legally obliged to pay towards the cost of any glasses she buys?

Thanks

[alison43331]

Sorry

The left eye should be L) +1.75/-275/142

Thanks

[gingejbee]

This explains it:

http://www.webmd.boots.com/eye-health/guide/understanding-your-prescription-for-glasses

and your optometrist should tell you all about vouchers!

[boxtops]

I can't speak for your friend's employers, but our employer pays for spectacles if it can be proven that the need for them arises from the work the person is asked to do (e.g. a colleague did a lot of computer work and needed specs.) it's not any glasses, either, they pay a fixed amount towards the total cost of some basic specs.

I thought only people on benefits of some sort qualified for help with specs - I know I couldn't because I work, and I have complex lenses, one of mine is more than 6 dioptres.

[york310]

Complex lenses is for those with a v high prescription. Your friend does not qualify.
An Nhs voucher for complex lenses is worth about £12.
The Nhs voucher system otherwise is for those on benefits as previous advised.
An employer only as to supply spectacles if safety eyewear is required or the spectacles are for use for VDU purpose only.
This prescription is not a VDU specific and is likely to be worn FT.