Generally, adults and children are advised to have their eyes tested evey 2 years. However, there are situations where your optometrist may recommend more frequent NHS sight tests. These could include if you are 40 or over and have an immediate family history of glaucoma, or you are over 70, or you have diabetes.

If you are eligible for a NHS sight test, it means the NHS will pay for it. Therefore, no charge for yourself. However, if you wish to have a sight test before you are due, this will be charged to you as a private sight test, unless your optometrist has recommended an earlier test. After a private sight test you will not be eligible for a free NHS sight test until your next sight test is due, which is usually the 2 years.

The categories below indicate entitlement to an NHS eye test. For further information see the NHS website – http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcosts/pages/Eyecarecosts.aspx/

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Woman at her Chapman opticians Bromsgrove, choosing her new glasses after her eye test

Certain groups of people are entitled to a free Sight Test under the National Health Service. This can be carried out at any of our branches. The groups who qualify for this are:

Recipients of:

  • Income support.
  • Jobseekers allowance – Income based only.
  • Pension Credit Guaranteed
  • Income based Employment and Support allowance (not contribution based)
  • An HC2 certificate in your or your partners name.
  • NHS tax credit exemptions in your or your partners name.
  • Disabled Person’s Tax Credit at the full rate or DPTC reduced by £70 or less.

If you are:

  • Aged 60 or over
  • Aged under 16
  • Aged 16,17 or 18 and in full time education
  • Registered blind or partially sighted
  • Aged 40 or over and the parent, brother, sister or child of a person with glaucoma
  • Diagnosed with Diabetes or glaucoma; or you’ve been advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma
  • A prisoner on leave from prison
  • Eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher
  • Partial Help

You may also get help towards the cost of your eye test and glasses if you’re named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3)

NHS Entitlement, Child at Chapman Opticians Stourport on Severn choosing her new pair of glasses after her eye test
NHS Entitlement, Man at Chapman & Myers opticians Halesowen choosing his new glasses after his eye test
A mature woman looking happy wearing her new glasses after her eye test in Halesowen. Treatment for Dry AMD. Valeda Light Therapy Treatment for AMD. Dry Macular Degeneration. contact us , policies , supervised tasks , Health & Safety Policy , contact lenses

As a new customer, I honestly wish I had never, ever used a different optician!

V. Walker

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