Some groups of patients are entitled to free NHS sight tests and optical vouchers to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
Patients who are not eligible for NHS sight tests will pay privately for a sight test
Free NHS Sight Test
You qualify for a free NHS funded sight test if you are:
- 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 and you are the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person diagnosed with glaucoma, or you have 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
You are also entitled to a free NHS sight test if:
- you receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not contribution based)
- you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- you receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- you are awarded Universal Credit
- you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- you are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.
NHS optical voucher
The NHS gives funding towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses, in the form of an NHS optical voucher, to anyone who qualifies. You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you:
- are aged under 16, or aged under 19 and in full-time education or
- are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher (your ophthalmic practitioner will advise you on your entitlement)
- a prisoner on leave from prison
You may also get an NHS optical voucher if:
- You receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not contribution-based)
- You receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
- You receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
- You are awarded Universal Credit
- You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
- You are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2). People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.
You will be asked to show proof of your entitlement to the optical voucher.
If you want more information on the NHS Free eye test or contributions towards the cost of glasses, please contact us.