NHS Entitlement

Free Sight Tests

You get free sights tests if you:

• are under 16
• are aged 16,17 or 18 in full-time education
• are aged 60 or over
• are a diagnosed glaucoma patient
• have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
• are aged 40 or over and are a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a diagnosed glaucoma patient
• have been diagnosed as diabetic
• are registered as severely sight-impaired/blind or sight-impaired partially sighted
• need complex lenses
• are someone whose sight test is carried out through the hospital eye department as part of the management of your eye condition
• are getting, or your partner gets:
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are not income related)
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate

NHS Optical Vouchers for Glasses or Contact Lenses

You can get vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you:

• are under 16
• are aged 16, 17 or 18 in full-time education
• need complex lenses
• are getting, or your partner gets:
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are not income-related)
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate

Partial help

If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate, you might get some help.

NOTE: If your glasses or contact lenses cost more than your voucher value, you will have to pay the difference.