An eye exam not only tests for visual impairment, but also for other underlying health issues. Even if you do not feel like you need glasses, many asymptomatic conditions exist that can be identified early on with an eye exam. A complete eye exam involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. Your eye doctor may use a variety of instruments, shine bright lights directly at your eyes and request that you look through an array of lenses. Each test during an eye exam evaluates a different aspect of your vision or eye health.
NHS Eye Examinations:
Both of our practices offer NHS examinations
Are you entitles to an NHS eye examination?
The following people automatically qualify for free eye examinations at certain intervals as determined by the NHS and your optometrist
- If you are under 16.
- If you are 16,17 or 18 and in full time education..
- If you are aged 60 or over.
- If you have glaucoma.
- If you are advised by a hospital eye specialist (an ophthalmologist) that you are at risk of glaucoma.
- If you are aged 40 or over and have a close relative (parent, brother, sister, son, or daughter) with glaucoma.
- If you have diabetes.
- If you are registered as severely sight-impaired/blind or sight-impaired/partially sighted.
- If you have been prescribed complex lenses (the optometrist will need to see your last optical prescription).
- If you are under a hospital eye service and your eye test is carried out through the hospital eye department as part of the management of your eye condition.
If you ( or your partner) gets one of the following
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
- You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
- You are a war pensioner – if treatment is connected with the pensionable disability.
- You are named on an HC2 (or HC3) certificate because of low income (see below).
Who gets help towards the costs of glasses and contact lenses?
You can get vouchers towards the costs of glasses or contact lenses:
- If you are under 16
- If you are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education.
- If you have been prescribed complex lenses (the optometrist will need to see your last optical prescription).
If you (or your partner) gets one of the following
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
- You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
- You are named on an HC2 (or HC3) certificate because of low income.
