Free eye tests

Legacy_user

Ok, background, am on IR ESA and have already had a free eye test (and subsidised) glasses within the last year. My problem is despite wearing my glasses all the time (as i was told too) my eyesight has definitely gotten worse.

I'm struggling to see and these glasses are meant to give me 20:30 vision, but they aren't, BUT i can't afford new ones. So my querstion: are you only entitled to one eye test and glasses per year? If yes will just have to manage with being half blind till next year.

sunnyone

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Ok, background, am on IR ESA and have already had a free eye test (and subsidised) glasses within the last year. My problem is despite wearing my glasses all the time (as i was told too) my eyesight has definitely gotten worse.

I'm struggling to see and these glasses are meant to give me 20:30 vision, but they aren't, BUT i can't afford new ones. So my querstion: are you only entitled to one eye test and glasses per year? If yes will just have to manage with being half blind till next year.

This happened to my son last year and our GP told us to get his eyes tested again ASAP because he couldnt see the interactive board at school and we just told our optician and his got a free eyetest and another voucher to got towards his new glasses but you only get a voucher if you need a very diffrent prescription or so the optician told us.

System

sunnyone wrote: »

This happened to my son last year and our GP told us to get his eyes tested again ASAP because he couldnt see the interactive board at school and we just told our optician and his got a free eyetest and another voucher to got towards his new glasses but you only get a voucher if you need a very diffrent prescription or so the optician told us.

Thanks for the reply, I think i'll go along and at least get them retested as I'm worrying cos it's deteriorated somewhat suddenly and i need to put my mind at rest (and be able to see)

[Deleted User]

usually the free eye test and glasses voucher is every TWO years unless theres a medical/optical reason for the test to be done annually even then its still one voucher every 2 years

System

I'll wait till my DLA goes in then to be on the safe side. If i have to pay for a test i have to pay, hoping i don't new glasses (can you get just the lenses if you already have frames?)

Indie_Kid

woodbine wrote: »

usually the free eye test and glasses voucher is every TWO years unless theres a medical/optical reason for the test to be done annually even then its still one voucher every 2 years

This isn't quite correct:
if you're entitled to be tested every year, (as I am) you can get a voucher every year. I've got vouchers every year with no problems. (my sight has got worse every year)

GlasweJen

You can only get a voucher if:
there has been a clinically significant change in the prescription or
your current glasses are unuseable through fair wear and tear.

This would usually be every 2 years but the optician can use his/her own judgement in this.

You can get an NHS eye test every 2 years (unless there is a clinical need for an earlier recall) but you can present yourself to your optician within the two year gap if you are having problems with your eyes such as not being able to see with your glasses, persistant eye infections, flashes of light in your vision, floaters when you don't normally have them or you are experiencing headaches.

Some practices will charge a private fee if you present yourself within 2 years saying you can't see with your glasses but they don't find a change in prescription, you're best phoning your optician, explaining your problems and asking if you can be seen on the NHS. Don't try going to another practice and pretending that you've not been seen in years, all NHS sight test forms are processed by computers and you can be made to repay the sight test fee (£37 in Scotland if you're under 60), the value of the yellow voucher plus a fine.

ETA I once had 3 yellow vouchers in 11 months, all due to significant changes in optical prescription! I was referred onto the hospital because of it though.

muirbabe

Hi,

I wondered if this would be of any help.

Tescos are offering free eye tests(ring 0845 601 3479 for appointment) and prescription glasses from £10.

Muirbabe

uolypool

I had to have my eyes tested recently (at home) and it was just over a year since my eye test and I was given the sight test free and got the optical voucher as well. My optitian was brilliant and has known me since I was about 14 and bought a huge range of glasses for me to try on and see if I liked any.Less then a week after the eye test I had my new specs and could see well again

System

Thank you for the info and tips

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

woodbine wrote: »

usually the free eye test and glasses voucher is every TWO years unless theres a medical/optical reason for the test to be done annually even then its still one voucher every 2 years

Liam has to have his eye's tested every 6 months & gets a voucher everytime if his prescription has changed.