Do you qualify for a FREE eye test?

Many people however are eligible for a free eye test under NHS guidelines. Getting your eyes tested regularly is an important and often overlooked exercise that doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Free Eye Test Criteria

• You’re aged 60 or over
• You’re aged under 16
• You’re in full time education and are aged 16, 17 or 18
• You’re registered as partially sighted or blind
• You’re over 40 years old and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed as suffering with glaucoma
• You’ve been diagnosed as suffering with diabetes or glaucoma
• You’re eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher
• You’re a prisoner on leave from prison

A free eye test is also available under the following conditions:

• You receive income support
• You receive income based jobseekers allowance (not contribution based)
• You receive pension credit guarantee credit
• You receive income based employment and support allowance
• You are awarded universal credit
• You are entitled to or named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• You are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

You may also be entitled to help if you are on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3).

How often should you have your eyes tested?

You should have your eyes tested every 2 years, however, under certain circumstances, you may benefit from more regular testing if for example:

• You are a child wearing glasses
• You have been diagnosed with diabetes
• You are aged over 40 and have a history of glaucoma in your family
• You are aged over 70

Why it’s important to have your eyes tested regularly

In most cases, you will not get any symptoms when there is something wrong with your eyes. However, regular eye tests can pick up early signs of eye conditions before you’re aware of them. These conditions can often be treated if identified early enough.

The sight test includes a general health check which can identify common conditions including;

• Diabetes
• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma

The way in which your free eye test is performed is governed by law, and will identify if you need glasses for the first time, or if you’re prescription needs to be amended. Your eyes and the area around them will be examined for signs of abnormality, disease or even injuries.

If you already wear prescription glasses or contacts, you may be asked to wear them during the test, so it’s important to remember to take them with you.

Does Glassesonspec offer eye tests?

We are unable to offer a free eye test to our customers as we’re an online company, however once you have obtained your prescription, our range of glasses are available at much bigger discounts than you will typically find on the high street!

Find an optician near you to book your eye test