Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers
Find out if you're entitled to a free NHS sight test or an optical voucher to reduce the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
If you're not eligible for NHS-funded sight tests or optical vouchers, you'll have to cover the costs yourself.
Free NHS eye tests
You're entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
are under 16
are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
are 60 or over
are registered as partially sighted or blind
have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
have been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you're at risk of glaucoma
are a prisoner on leave from prison
are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optician can advise you about your entitlement
are entitled to or named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
You're also entitled if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
Income Support
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help with the cost of a private sight test.
Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
NHS optical vouchers
You're entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you:
are under 16
are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
are a prisoner on leave from prison
are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – an optician can advise you about your entitlement
are entitled to or named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
You're also entitled if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
Income Support
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
Universal Credit and meet the criteria
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
NHS complex lens vouchers
To be eligible for a complex lens voucher, your lenses need to be either -10/+10 dioptres or more, or prism-controlled bifocal lenses.
Complex lens vouchers are a contribution towards the cost of these lenses – currently £15.81 for single vision lenses and £40.57 for bifocal lenses.
The vouchers are only available to those who meet the clinical criteria and are not eligible for one of the main optical vouchers.
How can I claim a refund?
Sight test fees
If you paid for a sight test but think you may qualify for an NHS-funded sight test, or you're about to have a test and you're not sure if you qualify, ask the optometrist for a receipt that shows you paid for the test and the date of payment.
You'll need to download, print and return an HC5(O) refund form along with your original receipt. The form tells you where to send it.
Download an HC5(O) refund claim form for optical costs from the NHS Business Services Authority
Glasses or contact lenses
If you have already used a voucher towards the cost of your glasses or lenses, you cannot get a refund for any difference between the voucher value and the actual cost of your glasses or lenses, unless it was a complex lens voucher.
If you paid for glasses or contact lenses and think you may have qualified for a voucher, you can claim a refund.
You'll need to download, print and return an HC5(O) refund form along with your original receipt (including the amount you paid and the date of payment) and your optical prescription. The form tells you where to send it.
Download an HC5(O) refund claim form for optical costs from the NHS Business Services Authority
The maximum refund you can get will be the voucher value that matches your prescription.
Lost or damaged glasses or contact lenses
If your glasses or contact lenses have been lost or damaged and you pay for replacement or repairs, you'll only be considered for a refund if you're entitled to a voucher.