More than 30 million people in the UK are entitled to a free eye examination paid for by the NHS and some will qualify for means tested help with the cost of glasses.
If you are in one of the categories below, your eye test will be free:
• Children under 16, or under 19 still in full-time education*
• All those aged 60 and over
• People receiving Income Support or Family Tax Credit*
• Those receiving a Disabled Persons Tax Credit*
• Those receiving income-based Job Seekers Allowance (Contributory JSA does not count)*
• Diabetics
• Glaucoma sufferers
• Those who are 40 and over and the parent / brother / sister / child of a person with glaucoma
• Those diagnosed by a consultant ophthalmologist as being at risk of developing glaucoma
• The blind and partially sighted
• People entitled to NHS complex lens voucher*
• Those who have a valid HC2 certificate*
* Automatically entitled to a NHS voucher towards glasses
NHS vouchers are issued to those in the qualifying categories who require new or changed spectacles. The contribution you receive from the NHS varies according to the type and strength of the lenses you require. If you are entitled to a voucher, you can put it towards the cost of whatever glasses you like, simply paying the difference in price. We are happy to advise further on the NHS voucher system following your eye examination.
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