NHS Eye Examination

• Aged 16 or under

• Aged 19 or under and in qualifying full-time education

• Aged 60 or over

• Diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma

• Aged 40 or over and a parent, brother, sister, or child of someone diagnosed with glaucoma

• Registered sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired (blind or partially sighted)

• Prescribed a complex lens appliance

• Uniocular (have sight in only one eye)

• Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa

• Have a hearing impairment

• Considered at clinical risk of developing an eye disease

• Receiving qualifying low-income benefits (such as Universal Credit, Income-based JSA, Pension Credit Guarantee, or holding a valid HC2W / HC3W certificate)

• Prisoners on leave

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-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.