Opticians

You can find somewhere to have an NHS sight test on the NHS website

When there is something wrong with your eyes, they often don't hurt. It's hard to know when there is something wrong without getting them tested.

The NHS recommends that you get your eyes tested every two years, unless your doctor tells you that you should be going more regularly.

Usually, your optician will remind you via text or email when you are due to have a test.

You can get a free NHS 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 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-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 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.

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 (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
• 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-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 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.

If 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.

Specsavers offers free home eye tests for people who meet one of the below criteria:

• have a condition that stops them from leaving your home unaccompanied due to poor health
• are living with a diagnosed mental health condition that prevents you from leaving your home without the assistance of another person
• are housebound or bed bound due to a physical disability

AND that meet one of the criteria below:

• Aged 60 or over
• Registered as partially sighted or blind
• Diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
• At risk of glaucoma, as advised by an optician
• Aged 40 or over and have a family member diagnosed with glaucoma, or have a family history of glaucoma
• Receiving benefit*
• Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• Named on a valid NHS HC2 certificate (full help). Those named on an NHS HC3 certificate (partial help) may also get help with the cost of a private eye test
• Eligible for an NHS Complex Lens Voucher (your optician will advise on the 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.

For more information and to book your home visit, visit the Specsavers website

If you have diabetes, it's even more important to get regular eye tests. Listen to the videos below to hear Richard's story and why it is so important to look after your eye sight.