|
Eye Care In The United Kingdom
Eye care in the United Kingdom is available through the National Health Service. Eye care in the community is almost entirely provided by optometrists in private practice. Specialist NHS services are provided from a small number of eye hospitals, and their staff often run clinics in general hospitals in their region. Sight tests Free NHS sight tests in England and Northern Ireland are available to anyone who is: * aged under 16, or aged under 19 and in full-time education * aged 60 or over * registered blind or partially sighted * diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma * aged 40 or over who is the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person diagnosed with glaucoma, or you has been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma * eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher * a prisoner on leave from prison * anyone entitled under the NHS Low Income Scheme For those who have to pay the charge is £22.14. People who are unable to visit an optician can have a mobil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Health Service
The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the "NHS" name ( NHS England, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales). Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland was created separately and is often locally referred to as "the NHS". The four systems were established in 1948 as part of major social reforms following the Second World War. The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care. In England, NHS patients have to pay prescription charges; some, such as those aged over 60 and certain state ben ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Optometrist
Optometry is a specialized health care profession that involves examining the eyes and related structures for defects or abnormalities. Optometrists are health care professionals who typically provide comprehensive primary eye care. In the United States and Canada, optometrists are those that hold a Doctor of Optometry degree. They are trained and licensed to practice medicine for eye related conditions, in addition to providing refractive (optical) eye care. In the United Kingdom, optometrists may also practice medicine (and provide refractive care) for eye related conditions. The Doctor of Optometry title can also be used in the UK for those that hold the postgraduate O.D. degree. Within their scope of practice, optometrists are considered physicians and bill medical insurance(s) (example: Medicare) accordingly. Moreover, many participate in academic research for eye related conditions and disease. Optometrists are the only health care professionals with a first professional ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Diabetes
Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased appetite. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many health complications. Acute complications can include diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or death. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulcers, damage to the nerves, damage to the eyes, and cognitive impairment. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced. Insulin is a hormone which is responsible for helping glucose from food get into cells to be used for energy. There are three main types of diabetes mellitus: * Type 1 diabetes results from failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin due to lo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for fluid within the eye remains open, with less common types including closed-angle (narrow angle, acute congestive) glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly over time and there is no pain. Peripheral vision may begin to decrease, followed by central vision, resulting in blindness if not treated. Closed-angle glaucoma can present gradually or suddenly. The sudden presentation may involve severe eye pain, blurred vision, mid-dilated pupil, redness of the eye, and nausea. Vision loss from glaucoma, once it has occurred, is permanent. Eyes affected by glaucoma are referred to as being glaucomatous. Risk factors for glaucoma include increasing age, high pressure in the eye, a family history of glaucoma, and use of steroid medication. F ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
NHS Low Income Scheme
The NHS Low Income Scheme is intended to reduce the cost of NHS prescription charges, NHS dentistry, sight tests, glasses and contact lenses, necessary costs of travel to receive NHS treatment, NHS wigs and fabric supports, i.e. spinal or abdominal supports or surgical brassieres supplied through a hospital. It is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority. It is not necessary to be in receipt of any benefits in order to qualify. An online application system was under trial in 2022. It is restricted to people who do not have capital or savings of over £6,000. Tax credits People entitled to most means-tested benefits do not need to use the scheme as they are exempt from these charges. People who receive working tax credit or child tax credit are automatically assessed and, if entitled, issued with an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. Tax credit beneficiaries with an income of less than £15,276 (2013 figure), people who receive working tax credit and child tax cre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Association Of Optometrists
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the United Kingdom. It supports over 82% of practising optometrists (members) to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. Activities and services The Association provides a range of professional services and products to its members, including: * Indemnity insurance * Legal representation and advice * Continuing education and training (CET) * Annual conferences, events and webinars * News, online and print, under the brand title Optometry Today * Political lobbying History The organisation traces its history back to 1946. when the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians (formed in 1904) and the Joint Council of Qualified Opticians (founded in 1923), were incorporated into The Association of Optical Practitioners. In 1986, the organisation renamed to the Association of Optometrists. The organisation retains use of the 'AOP' acronym. In 201 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic disorder of the eyes that causes loss of vision. Symptoms include trouble seeing at night and decreasing peripheral vision (side and upper or lower visual field). As peripheral vision worsens, people may experience "tunnel vision". Complete blindness is uncommon. Onset of symptoms is generally gradual and often begins in childhood. Retinitis pigmentosa is generally inherited from one or both parents or rarely it can be caused by a miscoding during DNA division. It is caused by genetic miscoding of proteins in one of more than 300 genes involved. The underlying mechanism involves the progressive loss of rod photoreceptor cells that line the retina of the eyeball. The rod cells secrete a neuroprotective substance (Rod-derived cone viability factor, RdCVF) that protects the cone cells from apoptosis (cell death). However, when the rod cells die, this substance is no longer provided. This is generally followed by the loss of cone photorecept ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS foundation trust which operates the Southampton General Hospital, the Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton Children’s Hospital, and the New Forest Birth Centre at Ashurst, Hampshire. It also provides a few services at the Royal South Hants Hospital and previously operated Countess Mountbatten House, a palliative care service at Moorgreen Hospital, which has since been renamed Mountbatten Hampshire. In 2016 the trust established a subsidiary company, UHS Estates Limited. The intention was to achieve VAT benefits, as well as pay bill savings, by recruiting new staff on less expensive non-NHS contracts. VAT benefits arise because NHS trusts can only claim VAT back on a small subset of goods and services they buy. The Value Added Tax Act 1994 provides a mechanism through which NHS trusts can qualify for refunds on contracted out services. Developments The trust has one of the 11 Genomics Medicines Centres associated wi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Royal College Of Ophthalmologists
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, founded in 1988, is an independent professional body and one of the Medical Royal Colleges. They set the standards and examinations for medical doctors aiming to become ophthalmologists, and provide surgical skills training, as well as services to those who have completed their training. History Historically, treatments for eye diseases were the preserve of much itinerant charlatanry, such as 'couching', or displacement of dense cataract with a needle, which led to brief improvements but very high complications and blindness in more than 70%, although the Sushruta Samhita described improvements to this as far back as 800 BC. The return of many soldiers from Napoleonic campaigns suffering an epidemic of trachoma, however, spurred the foundation of Moorfields Eye Hospital in 1805 by surgeon John Cunningham Saunders, with encouragement from Astley Cooper. This led to institutions in Exeter, Bristol and Manchester, and a second in London, by ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Which?
''Which?'' is a United Kingdom brand name that promotes informed consumer choice in the purchase of goods and services by testing products, highlighting inferior products or services, raising awareness of consumer rights and offering independent advice. The brand name is used by the Consumers' Association, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee that owns several businesses, including ''Which? Financial Services Limited'' (''Which? Mortgage Advisers''), ''Which? Legal Limited'' and ''Which? Limited'', which publishes the ''Which?'' Papers. The vast majority of the association's income comes from the profit it makes on its trading businesses, for instance subscriptions to ''Which?'' magazine, which are donated to the campaigning part of the organisation to fund advocacy activity and inform the public about consumer issues. ''Which?'' magazine maintains its independence by not accepting advertising, and the organisation receives no government funding. The Consumers' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Association Of British Dispensing Opticians
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is the main professional association for opticians in the UK. History ABDO was formed in 1986 from the merger of the Association of Dispensing Opticians and the Faculty of Dispensing Opticians, following the Health and Social Security Act of 1984. The profession of dispensing opticians has been regulated voluntarily since 1926 and, as a statutory profession, by the Opticians Act since 1958. Since such time the conduct of dispensing opticians has thus been regulated partly by legal provisions, by advice given by the General Optical Council, and by ABDO’s own Advice to Fellows. The General Optical Council was formed by the Opticians Act 1958, to make the British optician profession statutorily protected. Structure ABDO currently has 9,000 members and represents over 6.000 qualified dispensing opticians in the UK. It also has 500 members overseas, 500 associate members and approximately 1,800 student members worldwide. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
