You are entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:

  • Are under 16
  • Are in full-time education and age 16,17 or 18
  • Are aged 60 or over
  • Are a diagnosed glaucoma patient
  • Are aged 40 or over and the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person diagnosed with glaucoma
  • Registered blind or partially sighted
  • Have been diagnosed diabetic
  • Need complex lenses
  • Are someone whose sight test is carried out through the hospital eye department as part of the management of your eye condition
  • Are getting, or your partner gets:
    • Income Support
    • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
    • Employment Support Allowance (Income related)
    • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
    • Minimum Income Guarantee
  • Are entitled to, or are named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption certificate
  • Are named on a valid HC2 certificate
  • Are named on valid HC3 certificate (partial help towards cost of private sight test.)

You qualify for an optical voucher, which provides financial help towards the cost of your spectacles or contact lenses, if you are:

  • Aged under 16
  • Aged 16,17 or 18 in full time education
  • Eligible for NHS Complex Voucher (your optician will advice on your entitlement)
  • Claiming Benefit (Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Income-related Employment Support Allowance)
  • Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
  • Named on a valid HC2 certificate
  • Named on a valid HC3 certificate (partial help)