Taking Care of Your Eyes
Taking care of your eyes is important because it not only helps make sure you can see clearly, but it can also provide a window to your overall health by showing the early signs of conditions like diabetes.
That’s why, if you need help paying for an eye test, glasses or contact lenses, you may be eligible for an NHS discount.
The NHS provides the following discounts for certain groups of people:
You are entitled to a free NHS eye test if you:
- Are aged under 16
- Are aged 16, 17, or 18 and are in full-time education
- Are aged 60 or over
- Are registered as partially sighted (sight impaired) or blind (severely sight impaired)
- Have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- Are aged 40 or over, and your mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma
- Have been advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you're at risk of glaucoma
- Are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher - your optometrist can advise you about your entitlement
- Receive Income Supportreceive Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not Contribution-based)
- Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based)
- Receive Universal Creditare a prisoner on leave from prison
- Are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- Are on a low income and named on a valid HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate
At your Hammersmith Opticians appointment, one of our colleagues will go through the relevant NHS forms with you and fill them in. Please bring official documentation certifying your proof of entitlement.
Please bring with you official documentation certifying your proof of entitlement if you:
- receive Income Support
- receive Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not Contribution-based)
- receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- receive Universal Credit
- receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based)
- are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- are on a low income and named on a valid HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate
If you’re under 16 or over 60 years of age, you are entitled to one free eye test every two years. If you’re 16 to 59 and are entitled to an NHS test, you can have one every two years.
Book an eye test
You may also be entitled to an NHS optical voucher to help you with the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.
NHS optical vouchers
You may also be entitled to an NHS optical voucher to help you with the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.
- Are aged under 16
- Are aged 16, 17, or 18 and are in full-time education
- Are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher
- Receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Receive Universal Credit
- Are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- Are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
- People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.
Book an eye test
The value of the voucher you get depends on your prescription. The stronger or more complex your prescription, the greater the value of the voucher you can receive.
You can get a voucher whenever there is a significant change in your prescription. This is determined at the discretion of your prescribing optometrist. In some cases you may also get a voucher for replacement or repair but please speak to your local Boots optometrist who can advise you further on this.
When you visit our Hammersmith Opticians to buy your glasses, our colleagues will go through the relevant NHS forms and fill them in for you, so you can begin receiving your vouchers.
Please bring official documentation certifying your proof of entitlement if you:
- Receive Income Support
- Receive Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Receive Universal Credit
- Receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- Are on a low income and named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate
Book an eye test
Children's NHS eye tests and optical vouchers
Eye tests are particularly important during childhood because it means potential problems with vision can be spotted early. This improves the chances of successful treatment, if it's needed.
All children are entitled to free NHS-funded eye tests until they turn 16. In addition, they can also get an optical voucher to help pay for their glasses, which means many of our pairs are completely free for children.
Children under 16 are entitled to a free eye test at least every 2 years, or as directed by their optometrist.
Children can get a voucher whenever there is a significant change in their prescription, as determined by their optometrist. They may also get a voucher for replacement or repair. Speak to their local Hammersmith optometrist for more information.
Simply book your child's appointment at our Hammersmith Opticians as normal. At the appointment, our colleagues will go through the relevant NHS forms with you and fill them in.