NHS eyecare services

You qualify for an NHS funded sight test if you:

• are under 16

• are 16,17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)

• are 60 or over

• are registered as partially sighted or blind

• have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma

• are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma

• have been advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma

• are a prisoner on leave from prison

• are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher - we can advise you about you entitlement

You’re also entitled if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support

• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

• Universal Credit and meet the criteria

If you’re entitled to or named on:

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less

• a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help with the cost of a private test.

When you book and attend your eye test, please tell us which criteria you meet. We will generate the forms ready for you to complete. Please make sure you bring any supporting documentation with you.

If you’re eligible for an NHS funded sight test, you can have a test every 2 years. You may be eligible to receive them more often if our optometrists recommend you be seen more often.