GPs / Dentists / Pharmacists / Opticians
Opticians
Generally, opticians will test your sight and examine the health of your eyes.
Some types of optician are trained to recognise abnormalities and diseases that are revealed in the eye, such as diabetes and glaucoma. After testing your eyes, if needed, some Opticians will also fit and supply spectacles to a prescription.
Cost of eye tests
NHS sight tests are free, if you:
- have an HC2 exemption
- are under 16
- are a full time student under 19
- are over 40 and are the parent, brother, sister or child or a person who has glaucoma
- are over 60
- or your partner is receiving income support
- are a refugee receiving Working Families Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit
- are receiving income-based (not contributory) job seekers' allowance
need complex or powerful lenses - are registered as blind or partially sighted
- have diabetes, glaucoma, ocular hypertension
Everyone else has to pay.
You can get help with paying for your glasses or contact lenses, if you:
- have an HC2 exemption certificate
- are under 16
- are a full time student under 19
- or your partner receive income support
- have a Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) exemption certificate
- get full WFTC or Credit reduced by £70 or less
- or receive job seekers allowance
- need powerful or complex lenses.
You will be given an NHS voucher. If you choose glasses or contact lenses which cost more than the value of the NHS voucher, you will have to pay the difference.