How do I get Ikervis in the UK?

[Alix]

Ok, I am trying to get an appointment at the Dry Eye Centre in London.

[Meibum Ian]

I'm not sure that you would / can get a private prescription from an NHS appointment. But you can from a private appointment.

[Alix]

I meet all the requirements for being prescribed Ikervis except that I do not have Keratitis. I am prepared to pay the £90 pounds - if I tell the ophthalmologist this the next time I am at Moorfields they would be more likely to prescribe me this?

[Meibum Ian]

Ridiculous that Moorfields will not prescribe this for you (for the reason given, at least). Ikervis is approved by NICE for "treating dry eye disease that has not improved despite treatment with artificial tears": https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta3...tion-document2

Sorry that you have this frustration. NHS has also been very unhelpful for me.

Ikervis can be prescribed privately, either by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist who is an IP (Independent Prescriber). Dry Eye Centre can prescribe it privately as Caroline there is an IP. It will cost about £90/month from Boots.

Whoever prescribes it can also write to your GP who would then be able to prescribe it to you via the NHS, in theory at least. I think this is more likely to work if the prescriber is an ophthalmologist. I am going through this at the moment, but there is some extra complication because of the NHS authority rules in my part of the UK.

I have an ophthalmologist trying to make the case for NHS prescribing of Ikervis for me at the moment. Feel free to PM me for details.

[Alix]

I have been suffering from dry eye (non-stop burning and bloodshot eyes) since last December. So far nothing has worked - eye drops/ointments/vitamin supplements/warm eye compresses/punctal plugs/FML steroids.

The ophthalmologists at Moorfields say they cannot give me anything stronger, as it is for people who have corneal damage. I do not have keratitis, only dry spots - nevertheless the burning sensation is debilitating. So I now want to try Ikervis, even though the success rate is not very high.

I have my next appointment at Moorfields in 2 weeks time - how do I get the doctor there to prescribe me Ikervis if I do not have keratitis?
If they will not give me this on the NHS, how do I go about getting this prescribed privately? Will the Dry Eye Centre in London give this to me for example if I pay?

Also those of you who have used Ikervis, did you see any improvement and how long did it take?

Thank you in advance.