NHS eligibility |
It is recommended that you bring along evidence of your NHS entitlement such as a NHS card or letter of confirmation. Frequency of examination depends upon which NHS category applies to you, the optometrist will advise.
Free eye tests are available to those who are:
- 16 or under
- In full-time student aged 16,17 or 18
- Under 18 and a care leaver or are in the care of a Local Authority
- Over 60
- Receiving certain benefits or hold a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (Income Support, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Tax Credit, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Universal Credit and meet the criteria)
- Named on a valid HC2W certificate
- Named on a valid HC3 (partial help) certificate
- Registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired
- Diabetes
- Someone with glaucoma or is considered to be at risk of glaucoma by an ophthalmologist
- Over 40 and is the genetic father, mother, sibling or child of someone with glaucoma
- Monocular
- At risk of developing eye disease based on ethnicity (You are 40 years of age or over and self-certify as Asian or Black).
- Hearing impaired, even with the use of aids
- Someone with Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Has been prescribed complex lenses under the NHS optical voucher scheme · On a low income, you may be able to get help with the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
- A prisoner on leave from prison
Certain benefits may also mean that you are entitled to a NHS-funded sight test.