Who qualifies for a free eye exam?

There's sometimes a little confusion about who is entitled to a free eye exam under the NHS.

As an English resident you can currently* get a free eye exam if:

• You are 16 or under (or 18 or under and in full time eduction)

• You are 60 or over

• You receive income support
• You receive income based job seekers allowance
• You receive tax credit or are named on an NHS exemption certificate.
  
• You are named on a vaild HC2 certificate
• You receive income-related employment support allowance.
• You receive pension guarantee credit
• You suffer from diabetes or glaucoma
• You are 40 or over and have a child, sibling or parent who has/had glaucoma. Or if you are considered at risk from glaucoma by an opthalmologist.
• You are a prisoner on leave.
• You are registered blind or partially sighted

If you are at all unsure if you qualify please contact us as these criteria do sometimes change.

If you qualify for a free eye exam you may also be entitled to help towards the cost of glasses. The value of your entitlement will depend on your glasses prescription.


*Written October 2013, Updated 2017.