Eye tests for children are free

jap200

I am posting this because I the subject of eye tests came up in coversation with a group of Mums yesterday and several of them did not realise that children are eligible for free eye tests at any opticians. In fact, out of the 5 of us, only 2 had ever taken their kids to the optician at all.

It seems odd to me that we all moan about the problems of finding an NHS dentist in order for our kids to get a free dental check - but you can just walk into/phone any optician to get your kids a free eye test.

Mine love it too - great fun sitting in the big chair that goes up and down and wearing funny glasses - looking a 3D pictures etc. - and you get the reassurance (I hope) that their eyes are in tip-top condition - and if not, that you are well on the way to sorting it out. Mine were actually disappointed last time that they didn't need glasses as they had had so much fun trying on frames and pretending to be Harry Potter whilst waiting!

comping_cat

Mine have been having their free eye tests for a while now - started when DS was 6 and DD 5, they have them done every 2 years.

eyelinerprincess

Thought ALL eye tests were free? Unless that's only in Scotland.

jap200

eyelinerprincess wrote:

Thought ALL eye tests were free? Unless that's only in Scotland.

Must be just Scotland. Specsavers in the UK charge about £17.95 for adults - some places charge even more. My husband was able to get a free test with the recent Boots promotion and I get a free one using a voucher from work as I spend most of my work time in front of a screen.

Details of this regulation are here (scroll down a bit):
http://www.pcs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=883439

I have also just found some other useful information about who is entitled to a free eye test here:
http://www.healthyeyes.org.uk/index.php?id=102