Are you entitled to a free NHS sight test?

More than 30 million people in the UK are entitled to a free eye examination paid for by the NHS. The list below details those that are automatically entitled to regular NHS sight tests. You may also be entitled to a voucher towards the cost of any spectacles or contact lenses prescribed. Your local optician will be able to advise on NHS entitlements based on your own individual circumstance.

Aged 60 or over
Under 16 or under 19 still in full time education
Live in Scotland *
Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
40 years of age or over with a close relative with glaucoma
Registered blind or partially sighted
In need of complex lenses (you may also get an optical voucher)
Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit (and are named on a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)
You are named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate
Under 16 or under 19 and still in full time education
Named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate
In need of complex lenses
You or your partner claim Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Working Family’s Tax Credit/Disabled Person’s Tax Credit (and are named on a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)

* Automatically entitled to a voucher.

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