Free NHS eye tests

​

You'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:

​

• 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 a private sight test.

​

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

​

NHS optical vouchers

​

You'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 vouchers

​

To 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.

​

How can I claim a refund?

​

Sight test fees

​

If 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.