Almost all opticians are able to offer NHS services. For many people there will be a charge for both the sight test and any resulting dispensing from a prescription. You do not need to be registered with any one optician and can change from one to another at any time. The NHS Gateway website offers searches covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Sight tests and charges
The cost of a sight test can vary enormously as opticians can charge their own rate. Many opticians will offer a reduced cost for a sight test if there is a subsequent purchase; however they are not allowed to offer the test on condition that the prescription is dispensed by them. You can choose who you wish to dispense your prescription in the same way you can choose where to have your sight test – you do not have to use the same optician. It is actually a qualified optometrist who must conduct your eye test; a dispensing optician will only be able to give advice on lenses and glasses and fit these.
In England, Wales & Northern Ireland, free sight tests are available to certain groups of people:-
- Under 16, or under 19 and in full time education
- Aged 60 or over
- Registered blind or partially sighted
- Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
- Aged 40 or over with a first degree relative with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
- Prescribed a complex lens
- On certain means-tested benefits.
In Scotland, NHS eye examinations, known as the Primary Eye Examination, are available free of charge however there are some exclusions.
VDU Users
If you use a VDU as a regular part of your work then your employer should arrange regular eyesight tests and they should pay for this. Employers may have a specific procedure that you must follow but you should be aware that the result would be sent to your employer. Where a prescription is required to enable an employee to use a VDU safely, the employer must pay for this basic correction. If you wish to have more expensive frames or lenses, you will need to pay the balance of this yourself. Your optician will advise you on what basic correction constitutes.
Complaints
If you are not happy with your new glasses/lenses in the first instance you should go back to your chosen optician. They may advise you that it will take a little while for your eyes to adjust to your new prescription and you should take their advice about the suggested timescale.
Should you continue to have concerns, you can complain to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service by calling 0344 800 5071 or e-mailing enquiries@opticalcomplaints.co.uk
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