Check you qualify for an NHS eye test
See what you need to bring with you as proof
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1. Who Qualifies for NHS-funded Eye Test
The NHS will cover the full cost of an eye test with us for anyone who qualifies (funding doesn’t apply to everyone). In some cases, the NHS will also give an optical voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Find out if you qualify and what you need to do to get your free NHS-funded eye test.
| Age | Medical | Income | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-15 | Registered as partially- sighted or blind | Receive Income Support (you or your partner) | Prisoner or leave from prison |
| 16, 17 or 18 and in full- time education | Diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma | Receive Income-based (not Contribution based) Jobseeker’s Allowance (you or your partner) | Eligible for an NHS complex voucher |
| Eligible for an NHS complex voucher | Advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma | Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (you or your partner) | |
| Aged 40 or over and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma | Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (you or your partner) |
Information sourced from the NHS.
Scottish residents aged between 16 and 60 can have an NHS-funded eye examination every two years, if required. This provision only applies to eye examinations conducted in Scotland. In the Isle of Man, eye tests are free to anyone on the IOM NHS.
2. What to bring to your eye test?
So once you’ve checked through the eligibility criteria and you think you qualify, you’ll need to bring along a document to your appointment just to show that you qualify for an NHS-funded eye test (and in some cases, an NHS optical voucher for glasses too).
You only need to show one of these items (unless stated otherwise), so whichever is easiest for you.
| Reason you qualify | What you qualify for | What you can show in store as proof you qualify |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0-15 | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | No proof needed for this age group |
| Aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | Passport, student card, driving license |
| Aged 60 or over | An NHS-funded eye test | National Insurance number, passport, driving license |
| Registered as partially-sighted or blind | An NHS-funded eye test | Certificate of registration as partially-sighted or blind |
| Diagnosed with diabetes | An NHS-funded eye test | Doctor’s name and surgery address |
| Diagnosed with glaucoma | An NHS-funded eye test | Statement that you are a glaucoma sufferer |
| Advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma | An NHS-funded eye test | Statement that you are at risk of developing glaucoma |
| Aged 40 or over and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma | An NHS-funded eye test | An NHS-funded eye test |
| You are receiving benefits that entitle you to NHS funding for eyecare | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | An entitlement letter stating the benefits you receive |
| Your partner is receiving benefits that entitle you to NHS funding for eyecare | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | Partners need to: be married or living together; have all of their partner’s details; and be able to prove the benefit received |
| You or your partner are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | Award notice from the Pension Centre |
| Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate |
| In need of complex lenses | An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) | No proof needed – the optician will decide during the eye test if complex lenses are required |