Eye care + voucher

coconutcurls

I have a NHS exemption for eye tests and voucher to buy prescription glasses. I’ve had an eye test around 4/5 months ago but I am not totally happy with my prescription, I wonder if I need a different one. 

What is the time frame for using the NHS exemption between eye tests? And if I go to a different optician will they know I have used the exemption somewhere else in a recent past?

elsien

It used to be every 2 years if the reason was due to being on benefits. 

Have you been back to the optician and told them that you’re not happy, to give them the chance to put it right. Or did you just have the eye test and no glasses? 

olgadapolga

My optician has said that you can have an NHS sight test as often as you feel your sight is changing (I have tax credits exemption). 

I'd probably do as the previous poster suggested and contact the optician who issued the prescription.

Brie

I have in the past gone back a few months after getting glasses to get the glasses checked.  In a couple of instances they have discovered that the glasses haven't actually been made to spec or the frames have stretched or something.  So sometimes they can adjust things on the spot to get things sorted.  Other times it's a case of them remaking the lenses.  No charge ever.

calcotti

Brie said:

I have in the past gone back a few months after getting glasses to get the glasses checked.  In a couple of instances they have discovered that the glasses haven't actually been made to spec or the frames have stretched or something.  So sometimes they can adjust things on the spot to get things sorted.  Other times it's a case of them remaking the lenses.  No charge ever.

I have certainly had glasses replaced shortly after getting them due to an error by the optician.

tifo

The OP is asking of the NHS will pay for another eye test after 4-5 months. The answer is prob 'No' as the sight is unlikely to have changed in such a short time.

If the optometrist has not given the correct prescription then they should test you for free again. If new glasses are needed the opticians should then make these for free. As the errors are on their side.

The prescription may be correct but the glasses haven't been made properly. I've had this in the past and the opticians made new glasses for free. It's unusual for the prescription to be wrong.

But generally the NHS pay for an eye test every 2 years unless your sight has changed.