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Free NHS Eye Tests and Optical Vouchers

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Find out if you’re entitled to free NHS eye tests or optical vouchers to reduce the cost of glasses or contact lenses.

If you’re not eligible for NHS-funded sight tests or optical vouchers, you’ll have to cover the costs yourself.
Free NHS eye testsYou’re entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
  • are under 16
  • are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
  • 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 eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you’re at risk of glaucoma
  • are a prisoner on leave from prison
  • are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optician can advise you about your 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:

If you’re entitled to or named on:

  • a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you get 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 sight test.

Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)

NHS optical vouchersYou’re entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you:
  • are under 16
  • are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
  • are a prisoner on leave from prison
  • are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – an optician can advise you about your 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-related 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 certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you get 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 glasses or contact lenses.

Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)

NHS complex lens vouchersTo be eligible, your lenses need to be either -10/+10 dioptres or more, or prism-controlled bifocal lenses.Complex lens vouchers are a contribution towards the cost of these lenses – currently £14.60 for single vision lenses and £37.40 for bifocal lenses.

The vouchers are only available to those who meet the clinical criteria and are not eligible for one of the main optical vouchers.

Mobile sight testIf you’re eligible for a free NHS sight test, you may also be entitled to a mobile sight test. This is when an optometrist comes to visit you:
  • at home – if you’re unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
  • at a residential or care home – if you’re a resident and unable to leave the home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
  • at a day centre – if you cannot get a sight test at an optician’s practice because of physical or mental illness or disability, or have difficulties communicating your health needs unaided
How can I claim a refund?Sight test feesIf you paid for a sight test but think you may qualify for an NHS-funded sight test, or you’re about to have a test and you’re not sure if you qualify, ask the optometrist for a receipt that shows you paid for the test and the date of payment.

Complete an HC5 claim form for optical charges.

Glasses or contact lenses

If you have already used a voucher towards the cost of your glasses or lenses, you cannot get a refund for any difference between the voucher value and the actual cost of your glasses or lenses, unless it was a complex lens voucher.

If you paid for glasses or contact lenses and think you may have qualified for a voucher, you can claim a refund. You’ll need a receipt for the glasses or contact lenses you’ve bought, including the amount you paid and the date of payment.

Complete an HC5 claim form for optical charges. Make sure you include your optical prescription and the receipt with your HC5 when you send it. The maximum refund you can get will be the voucher value that matches your prescription.

Lost or damaged glasses or contact lenses

If your glasses or contact lenses have been lost or damaged and you pay for replacement or repairs, you’ll only be considered for a refund if you’re entitled to a voucher.

If you have a question about health costsIf you have questions about help with health costs, join the Help with Health Costs team on Facebook, where the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will respond to your queries Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.Or you can call the Help with Health Costs helpline on 0300 330 1343.

You must check that you’re entitled to help with health costs before signing any declaration stating that you are. You may have to pay a fine if you make a false claim. You would have to pay the cost of the sight test and the value of the voucher charge, plus a penalty charge of up to £100.

For more information, see Paying NHS charges.

For more information about free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers, click on this link

If you have an interest in driving eyesight rules, you can click here

Original source of this content: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/

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