Hi Everyone

When I was put on hydroxy in 2007 I was told I must have regular eye checks as it can cause problems. I read at the time it should be every 6 months but at least once a year. I was referred by my GP to our local hospital where I've been going once a year which has been fine. I went yesterday and after checking my eyes the doctor told me they no longer do routine checks for Hydroxy but strongly recommend an annual visit to an optician. I'm over 60 so get it free but for younger people I would imagine that a visit to an optician would cost them. I don't know if it's just Watford General or if other hospitals are doing the same.

Hope everyone is doing OK - Brenda

I've posted about this before on another thread. You would think that if you are having to take a drug that can cause irreversible damage to your eyes and are advised to have you eyes tested every year that the NHS would step in and cover the costs. It's not as if you need any costly treatment, just a ten minute appointment to make sure that everything is OK. It really get me so annoyed.

Paula

I agree with you there Naomi we should get free prescriptions for anything we take for our RA. Just think if we didn't take our drugs the cost to the NHS for hospital admissions, joint replacements etc would cost a fortune. Not forgetting all the benefits we would beable to get off the state.

My daughter was diagnosed with thyroid problems last year she takes one tablet a day, probably had the problem for a long time without knowing about it. This now means that any medication that she needs for anything unrelated to her illness is free. I've googled thyroid problems and there is more to it than I first thought so I am not saying it's not serious but I just don't know how the powers that be can say one illness gets you free prescriptions and another one doesn't.

They ought to have some system in operation that anyone who's got a chronic illness should not have to pay for any medication related to that illness, not how it stands now that people who have the appropriate illness get free medication for any aliment they have.

Paula