Who can get Free NHS Sight Tests:

Free NHS Sight Tests are only available to people who are:

• under the age of 16.
• are 16 or over but under 19 and in full time education.
• are registered blind or partially sighted.
• have been diagnosed diabetes or glaucoma.
• Considered to be at risk of glaucoma (as advised by an Ophthalmologist).
• Are entitled to or named on a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
• are aged 40 or over and are the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person with diagnosed glaucoma.
• aged 60 or over.
• in need of complex lenses.

You are also entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:

• receive Income Support.
• receive Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.
• receive Income Based Employment and Support Allowance.
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate.
• are entitled or are named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate. 
• Pension credit (guarantee credit).

People named on a valid HC3 certificate may also get help towards the cost of a private sight test.

All sight tests carried out through the Hospital Eye Service are free. Anyone else will have to pay for a private sight test. The cost of this may vary from one Optician or another, so it may pay the patient to shop around.

NHS Funded Mobile Sight Tests:

If you are eligible for an NHS funded sight test you may be entitled to get an NHS funded mobile sight test if you meet one of the criteria below:

• At home: if you are unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
• At a residential or care home: if you normally live there and you are unable to leave the home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
• At a day centre: if you would have difficulty in obtaining sight testing services from practice premises because of physical or mental illness or disability because of difficulties in communicating your health needs unaided.

Low Income Scheme:

The Low Income Scheme for help with vouchers for glasses is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA). The assessment is broadly the same as for Income Support (IS) but with some changes.

If your capital is less than £16,000, or if you or your partner are aged 60 or over you may be eligible for help. If you live permanently in residential care or in a nursing home the capital limit is £23,250. If your income is less than or equal to your requirements, you are entitled to full help with vouchers towards the cost of glasses. The NHS BSA will send you an HC2 Certificate. If your income is higher than your requirements, you may be able to get help with the cost of glasses. The NHS BSA will send you an HC3 Certificate to show that you are entitled to partial help. For sight tests, you will get the difference between the sight test fee and your excess income.

For glasses, the maximum voucher value is reduced by twice your excess income.

Claim on form HC1, this you can obtain from a Jobcentre Plus Office, NHS Hospital, your optician may have copies too.

If you are not happy with the Decision:

To appeal against a decision made by the NHS Business Services Authority,
Write to:

Independent Review Section
NHS Business Services Authority
Sandyford House
Archbold Terrace
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE2 1DB

Opticians that can offer Home Visits

Andrew C. Smith Ltd
34 Market Place
Doncaster
DN1 1NE
Tel: 01302 344 569
Home visits can be arranged for people who are ill or unable to leave their house.
Accessible.

R.N. Murgatroyd
The Old Surgery
March Street
Conisbrough
DN12 2LY
Tel: 01709 862 885
Home visits within the area.

Vision Call
Unit 1
Nidd House
5 Sidings Court
Doncaster
DN4 5NL
Tel: 01302 738 800
Fax: 01302 730 081
E-mail: yorkshire@vision-call.co.uk
Website: www.vision-call.co.uk
Improving quality of life is at the core of Visioncall's services. They are the largest provider of domicillary eye care in the UK and their mobile service is used extensively by the elderly, disabled and others who find it difficult to attend a high street optician.

For a full list of Opticians in the Doncaster area visit www.nhs.uk or you can look in your local Yellow Pages.

DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.