Cheap glasses/lenses (NHS exempt only)

Inverness

As I am on tax credits and NHS exempt, I get a discount on lenses (possibly also on glasses - haven't checked). I have just saved £58 approx by producing my NHS exemption certificate to the dispensers.

Also, my dispensers are an independant outfit who don't do eye tests. they just make up the glasses or put lenses in your old frames (as in my case). They were charging me £117 before the NHS reduction as opposed to my optician's quote of £250.

pattycake

There is a fixed amount which the optician can claim from the NHS for people who are entitled to help with their spectacles.

The amount varies according to prescription, ie children, bifocals etc.

The same people are also entitled to free eye-tests.

You do not have to buy your glasses from the optician who tests your eyes. You should be given a voucher which you can take to get your spectacles dispensed.