NHS Services

NHS Eyecare Entitlements

Certain patient groups are entitled to free NHS eye examinations and optical vouchers to help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses. At Allister & Simpson Opticians we provide a wide range of spectacles or contact lenses that are covered by the cost of your voucher, so you can look and feel good in your selection. The section below will explain if you are entitled to NHS support.

Am I entitled to a free NHS eye examination?

  • Children under 16 years of age
  • Full time students aged 16,17 or 18
  • If you are aged 60 or over
  • If you are diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
  • If you are registered blind or partially sighted
  • If you are aged 40 or over and are the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person diagnosed with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
  • If you/your partner receives Income Support
  • If you/your partner receives Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
  • If you/your partner receives Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • If you/your partner receives Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • If you/your partner receives Tax Credits and meet the criteria
  • If you/your partner receives Universal Credit and meet the criteria
  • If you/your partner are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
  • If you/your partner are named on a valid NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3)
  • If you are a prisoner on leave from prison
  • If you are prescribed complex lenses under the NHS Optical Voucher Scheme

Am I entitled to a free NHS home visit examination as I am unable to make it to the practice?

At Allister & Simpson Opticians we will provide an optometrist to carry out a free NHS eye examination at your home or day centre if you meet one of the following criteria.

  • If you are unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
  • If you are a resident at a residential or care home and are unable to leave the home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
  • If you are at a day centre and cannot get a sight test at an optician’s practice because of physical or mental illness, disability or because of difficulties communicating your health needs unaided

 

Am I entitled to an NHS voucher to help towards the cost of spectacles or contact lenses?

At Allister and Simpson Opticians we provide a wide range of spectacles or contact lenses that are covered by the cost of your NHS voucher, so you can look and feel good in your selection. The groups below qualify for an NHS voucher:

  • Children under 16 years of age
  • Full time students aged 16,17 or 18
  • If you are aged 60 or over
  • If you/your partner receives Income Support
  • If you/your partner receives Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
  • If you/your partner receives Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • If you/your partner receives Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • If you/your partner receives Tax Credits and meet the criteria
  • If you/your partner receives Universal Credit and meet the criteria
  • If you/your partner are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
  • If you/your partner are named on a valid NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3)
  • If you are a prisoner on leave from prison
  • If you are prescribed complex lenses under the NHS Optical Voucher Scheme

To claim the voucher you will be asked to show proof of your entitlement to the Optometrist or member of staff. There are currently 10 different levels of voucher values, which are dependant on the strength of your spectacle prescription. The stronger your prescription the higher the voucher value you will receive. If your glasses or contact lens choice is higher than your voucher value you will be asked to pay the difference.

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