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Some people may be entitled to help with the cost of Health Service (HS) sight tests because of age, medical condition or because they or their partner get Income Support or Employment & Support Allowance (income related) or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based) or Pension Credit. (guarantee credit)
People on a low income, including people getting Tax Credits may be entitled to get help.
You can get free sight tests if you:
(1) are aged under 16;
(2) are in full time education and aged 16, 17 or 18;
(3) are aged 60 or over;
(4) are a diagnosed glaucoma patient;
(5) are aged 40 or over and are a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a diagnosed glaucoma patient;
(6) have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma;
(7) have been diagnosed as diabetic;
(8) are registered blind or partially sighted;
(9) need complex lenses;
(10) are someone whose sight test is carried out through the hospital eye department as part of the management of your eye condition;
(11) are getting, or your partner gets: Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit;
(12) are entitled to, or named on, a valid HS tax credit exemption certificate; or,
(13) are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
All sight tests carried out through the Hospital Eye Service are free. The sight test will be carried out in the hospital.
People named on a HC3 certificate may get help towards the cost of a private sight test.
Anyone else will have to pay for a private sight test. The cost of this may vary from one optician to another, so it may pay you to shop around.
The sight test must be carried out by an optometrist or an ophthalmic medical practitioner. You should say when you make an appointment that you are entitled to a free HS sight test.
In order to carry out a free HS sight test, the optician needs the following in respect of patients who:
- are diagnosed diabetic or have glaucoma:
the name and address of the patient's GP and agreement to a check being made. If the patient does not agree the optician can refuse to test their sight under the HS. The Central Services Agency may write to the doctor to confirm that the patient has diabetes or glaucoma;
- are registered blind or partially sighted:
the name and address of the Board with whom the patient is registered. If the patient does not give this information the optician can refuse to test their sight under the HS. The Central Services Agency may write to the Board to confirm that the patient is registered;
- need complex lenses:
a copy of the patient's last optical prescription, which they will have been given at their last sight test. If they have not got it the optician may be able to check the prescription from his or her records or by examining the patient's present glasses. The sight test might also show that a patient now needs complex lenses;
- hold a full certificate, HC2:
the optician is required to see the certificate at the time of the sight test.
They should complete form HC1 and forward it to their local Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office.
If you are entitled to full help, you will receive a Full Help Certificate (HC2). If you have paid for a sight test, and claim it back within 3 months, you will be reimbursed with the full amount.
If you are entitled to limited help, you will receive a Limited Help Certificate (HC3). If you have paid for a sight test, and claim it back, you will be reimbursed the lower of their private sight test charge or the HS sight test fee, less the amount on the HC3.
You will not have to pay for your sight test, or pay at a reduced rate. Refunds are paid by the Business service organisation, remember to claim your refund within 3 months of paying the health costs.
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