bons

I thought I'd posted this thread, but I can't see it, so here goes again. If it ends up being a repeat, apologies.

Does anyone living in Portugal wear glasses or contact lenses? If so are they very expensive? My mother had glaucoma so my yearly eye check here is free. I also subscribe to a direct debit scheme for contact lenses with my optician, so I can see them any time I want. I'm guessing this is not the case in Portugal.

ouriquejan

Expensive, that's all I can say.

My husband had annual checks for glaucoma too, in England, Here, you pay, unless you are buying a new pair of glasses.

bons

I thought it would be.. I hear that the economy is not brilliant in Portugal, and that people live on low incomes. How can the general population use opticians etc if it is so expensive?

borisface

Opticians here take the Mickey. I had some dealings with opticians here this time last year. The first place I went to wanted 800 euros for some varifocals, which after I had picked myself up off the floor and went to multiopticas who wanted 500 euros. I didn't want varifocals so was quoted over 300 for a single vision lens. I had a recent UK prescription and was able to get exactly the same frames with a single vision lens mail order from the uk for £95 delivered.

In future I will go back to the UK for check ups and to order glasses as the savings more than pay for a trip back to see family and friends.

Rambling archer

Surely for the Glaucoma annual check ups you would be referred from your GP in the local Centro de Saude, to the ophthalmologist specialist, probably at hospital outpatients, and this would be at the minimal standing charge - not sure what it is for hospital appointments - and any tests would again be done on a very minimal charge. Opticians are a different kettle of fish, on a par with dentists (I digress but most dentists faced with a tooth that needs some repair seem to go into immediate raptures to sell you root-canal, crown, and several visits for a very expensive job - unless you insist on trying a filling first, please!). Having previously lived in Spain, I don't think the opticians are too pricey here. And contact lenses are not overpriced either ... though you might get a better price on-line

bons

I've absolutely no idea about that.

ouriquejan

Our nearest hospital is Beja, an hours drive. And nothing has ever been mentioned about him having a check up there, or in Faro, when we lived down there.

Campanula

I had an eyetest in multi ópticas recently . It’s basically an eyetest no health checks . No puffing eyes or photographs

Rambling archer

Campanula - that is it - opticians are just that, they do eye tests. Ophthalmologists are eye specialists and would follow a glaucoma patient for pressure in the eyeball and effects within the eye. Opticians - glasses/contact lenses for correcting vision. Hospital referral via GP for eye problems, diagnosis and treatment. As I understand it anyway.

Red Eric

I'm surprised at that.

Was it before the pandemic?

Rambling archer

Opticians are open, RE. Masks and social distancing queueing, some require advanced appointment making.

Red Eric

Thanks for the info.

However, it was specifically the not doing a basic health check of the eye that I was querying - it's not been my experience pre-pandemic but I know that things are conditioned somewhat by current circumstances.

wellinever

Noticed a blood shot eye yesterday.
Went to Local Multi Opitcas. (ALgarve Shopping)
Walked in talked with girl on reception, told to sit down and optician would have a look.
10 mins later went into room where she did a full eye test inc puffer...
Told it is a burst blood vessel (I assumed it was). pressures both the same and fine.
Not to worry, if any pain go to A and E.
Walked out no charge..........miilion times better than UK.

Campanula

chislenko

Seems to contradict what others are saying up thread about going back to UK for cheaper treatment / glasses.