NHS Service

You qualify for an NHS funded sight test if:

• you’re aged under 16
• you’re aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full-time education
• you’re aged 60 or over
• you’re registered as partially sighted (sight impaired) or blind (severely sight impaired)
• you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
• you’re 40 or over, and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma
• you’ve been advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma
• you’re a prisoner on leave from prison
• you’re eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optometrist (optician) can advise you about your entitlement

You’re also entitled to an NHS funded sight test if you:

• receive Income Support
• receive Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not Contribution-based)
• receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based)
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• on a low income and named on a valid HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate

 

AM I ENTITLED TO AN NHS OPTICAL VOUCHER?

An NHS optical voucher provides help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you are:

• aged under 16
• aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full-time education
• eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optometrist (optician) can advise you about your entitlement
• a prisoner on leave from prison

You may also get an NHS optical voucher if you:

• receive Income Support
• receive Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not Contribution-based)
• receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based)
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid NHS Certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

If you are named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3), you may also get help towards the cost of your glasses.

If you’re entitled to an NHS optical voucher, you can take it with your prescription to any supplier and use it towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.

Children under 16 and people who are registered blind or partially sighted can only have their glasses or contact lenses dispensed by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner, registered optometrist or registered dispensing optician.