Letters
Eye care in France: more hassle than it is worth
A visit to an ophthalmologist is required for prescription lenses
An appointment with an eye specialist to get a prescription is usually required before getting a pair of glasses
NDAB Creativity / Shutterstock
To the Editor,
Eye tests in France are generally only available from ophthalmologists. This can be expensive, and in some cases the tests are comparable to the free eye tests available in the UK from companies such as Vision Express and Specsavers.
These services can detect a wide range of pathologies, including some that manifest in the eyes but are not primarily eye-related.
Worse, the cost of prescription lenses in France is exorbitant.
One can save money by buying air fares to the UK, getting tested and going back a second time to collect the glasses when they are ready.
French public healthcare is usually excellent, but experiences with individual practitioners can vary. It is important to seek a second opinion if initial consultations are unsatisfactory.
Conclusions:
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The French public health-care system is generally of high quality, though, as everywhere, experiences can vary with individual practitioners.
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French rules on the prescription of spectacles could be better aligned with those in the UK to improve accessibility and affordability.
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Conversely, aspects of the UK NHS could benefit from reforms inspired by the French system. For example, GPs in urban areas could work in health centres with at least four GPs and one practice nurse, allowing better coverage for absences. In urban centres with populations over 30,000, health centres could provide an overnight emergency service shared among several practices.
A.R., by email
Do you still get your glasses from the UK despite living in France? Have you attempted to negotiate the French eye car system? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com
