Advice and FAQ’s

Below are some frequently asked questions but we are only at the end of a phone call, 051 426 791, or contact us if you require any further information with regards to eyecare issues and services.

FAQ’s

Do we cater for Medical card and PRSI?

Yes, we cater for both.

How often am I allowed use my Medical card/PRSI?

Once every 2 years unless there is a clinical necessity to have it done before this.

What do I have to do prior to making an appointment if I have medical/PRSI coverage?

Patients with a Medical Card cover are entitled to a free eye test plus an allowance towards glasses every two years. Some patients can even qualify annually. In the past, approval was achieved by sending forms to your local HSE office. Now, these approvals are done in-store. Please contact us with your Medical Card number or PPS number to check if and when you are eligible.

For PRSI, you simply give us your PPS number at the time of making your appointment and we can check it on the Department of Social Protections (DSP) Optical Benefits Secure Website.

What does my Medical card/PRSI cover?

Both cover our standard eye exam. Additional tests such as OCT, fields tests and drivers’ reports are not covered.

For both medical card and PRSI you will get an allowance of €42 towards single vision lenses both for distance and reading if required. We have a complete range of frames and lenses that are fully covered. There is an allowance of €84 towards bifocals/varifocals. Again, we have a complete range of frames and bifocal lenses that are fully covered.

How often should I have my eyes examined?

It is recommended to have your eyes tested at least every 2 years. If there is a family history of eye diseases such as macular degeneration or glaucoma in the family a more frequent eye exam will be necessary.

How long does an eye test take?

A full and thorough eye exam takes 45 minutes.

Why do drops need to be inserted in my eyes during the eye exam?

There are different reasons why drops are inserted in our eyes during an eye exam.

Fluorescein is used on almost all our patients. This is a yellow/orange dye that is used to make it easier for our Optometrist to analyse the front surface of the eye.

There is also a possibility of dilating drops being inserted. These are used to make the pupils of the eyes larger so it is easier to examine the inside structures of the eye. This makes it possible to view more of the retina allowing our Optometrists to detect abnormalities of the eye. These drops make our eyes sensitive to light and blurry for up to 6 hours so it is recommended to not drive for this period after.

My lenses have scratches on them, can these scratches be polished out?

For safety reasons most lenses are now made from plastic instead of glass. Glass lenses can be polished to remove scratches whereas plastic lenses cannot.

I’m interested in contact lenses but I’m worried I won’t be able to put them in or take them out?

Contact lenses are now widely available for a wide range of the population. Believe it or not they are quite easy to insert and remove. At Byrne’s Opticians we give you as much time as is needed to learn how to insert and remove your contact lenses whether that be 20 minutes or requiring a few visits.

What do I need to do for a contact lens check-up?

In Ireland, a contact lens prescription is valid for 2 years (or less if the Optometrist thinks you need more frequent check-ups such as younger patients). To renew your contact lens prescription, you will need a contact lens check-up. This means you should have your contact lenses in at least 2 hours before your check-up and leave in for the check-up. You will also need to bring your glasses as our Optometrist will need you to take out your contact lenses in order to examine the health of the surface of the eyes and lids.