Free Eye Tests for the Scottish

[MSE Martin]

What's it about?

In April this year eye tests became free if you live in Scotland. You can read more about it on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/03/31123423).

What do you have to do?

Just take some ID such as a passport with you when you go to the optician and you should get it.

More Optical MoneySaving

For more info about cutting down on optical costs read Cheaper Contact Lenses (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1081710634,17595,).

[Edinburghlass]

I had my eyes tested routinely in May and it was free :j

I guess by passport you mean some form of ID but this would be ID that confirms you reside in Scotland whereas a passport doesn't state where you live. As in Wales for the cheaper prescriptions you have to be resident in Wales.

It is a form that has to be completed by the optician and signed by you so that they can claim back their costs of giving you a free eye examination and would rule out holidaymakers to Scotland.

My optician already had my details on file so I don't know the procedure when walking into an optician that I haven't used.

[martin2410]

When will this english government give us something for nothing? Free eye tests in scotland, cheap prescriptions in wales and everything over the odds in england.

[Sweetchuck]

Also free personal care for the elderly, free pensioner travel throughout Scotland and no university tuition fees (although there is the graduate endowment).

How people can say the Scottish Parliament hasn't delivered better services for the people of Scotland is utterly beyond me.

Oh, and let's not forget our wonderful new Parliament building... :mad: :mad: :mad:

[cheekymole]

When will this english government give us something for nothing? Free eye tests in scotland, cheap prescriptions in wales and everything over the odds in england.

I don't mean to get political and I have nothing against the Scots/Welsh, but who's paying for them out of their taxes!!!!!:confused:
It's totally unfair that we get nothing but we give billions a year so we get nothing and they get everything.

Sorry, rant over

[scotsbob]

England could have these these things but choose to spend the money elsewhere. Different administrations have different financial priorities.

Free eye tests aren't worth a toss anyway because many opticians have offered them free in the past as a loss leader incentive. The profit is not in the testing but in the huge mark up on frames and lenses.

[mcek]

I don't mean to get political and I have nothing against the Scots/Welsh, but who's paying for them out of their taxes!!!!!:confused:
It's totally unfair that we get nothing but we give billions a year so we get nothing and they get everything.

Sorry, rant over

are we not paying our own taxes to our own assembly/parliament?
and if we kept our oil revenue in scotland?

yes, please, lets not start getting political :)

but, england does have some benefits:
there are free training courses to england only residents,
more help with teacher training (plus, england wont readily accept scottish trained teachers, whereas we accept english trained)
and for years, pensioners here didnt get full winter fuel allowance because the temperature down south didnt trigger the payments.

oh, and very hard luck england... but at least portugal got their just reward last night.

[*inky]

Excellent, am off to get my free eye test....a driving licence should be good for ID..?

And well done England for actually qualifying in the first place :)

[Edinburghlass]

England could have these these things but choose to spend the money elsewhere. Different administrations have different financial priorities.

Free eye tests aren't worth a toss anyway because many opticians have offered them free in the past as a loss leader incentive. The profit is not in the testing but in the huge mark up on frames and lenses.

Its not just an eye test now though, it is an eye examination

Not only will all eye examinations now be free, but the testing process is being broadened to provide a health assessment of each patient's whole visual system.

and new equipment is being paid for by the Scottish Executive.

As part of the preparation for the introduction of the new eye examination, the Executive has provided each practice with funding of £8,000 for the provision of equipment necessary to carry out the new examinations.