In this Section:
Are you an ophthalmic professional?
Click here to get all the advice and support you need, for the services you provide.
Click here to get all the advice and support you need, for the services you provide.
Eye examinations are free to those ordinarily resident in the UK or those who belong to one of the categories of exemption from NHS charges set out in the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989.
This eye examination is different to eye tests you may have had before. It is not just to test your sight – it’s a more thorough examination to check the health of your eyes, and to look for signs of other health problems. It means that any problems you have with your eyes can be found before they become more serious.
The decision to carry out an eye examination is a clinical decision made by the optometrist. Primary eye examinations can only be claimed under the NHS at the following intervals.
Under 16 years of age, with binocular vision anomaly or under 7 years of age, with corrected refractive error |
1 Year |
7 years of age and over and under 16 years of age with rapidly progressing myopia |
1 Year |
Under 16 years of age |
1 Year |
16 years of age and over and under 60 years of age |
2 Years |
60 years of age and over |
1 Year |
Those with glaucoma |
1 Year |
Those 40 years of age and over with a close family history of glaucoma |
1 Year |
Those with ocular hypertension |
1 Year |
Diabetic patients |
1 Year |