NHS Entitlement

In Scotland, everyone is entitled to a free eye examination under the following guidelines:

  • You can have a free eye examination once every two years if you are between 16 and 59 years old.
  • You can have a free eye examination once a year if you:
    • are under 16.
    • are 60 or over.
    • have ocular hypertension or diabetes.
    • have glaucoma, or
    • are 40 or over and your Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Son or Daughter has glaucoma.

For visits at home (in whichever setting that may be), you are eligible for free eye tests as long as you are unable to visit a practice due to ill health or mobility issues.

If you have any concerns with your eyes before your next NHS eye examination is due, you can arrange another appointment as soon as you need it.

You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you:

  • are aged under 16.
  • are aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full-time education.
  • eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher.
  • are a prisoner on leave from prison.
  • receive Income Support.
  • receive Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not Contribution-based).
  • are awarded Universal Credit.
  • receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
  • receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based).
  • are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
  • are named on a valid NHS Certificate for full help with health costs (HC2).

If you are named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3), you may also get help towards the cost of your glasses.

You’re entitled to a free eye examination if you are:

  1. aged 60 or over
  2. registered blind or partially sighted
  3. diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
  4. aged 40 or over and have a close relative (parent, sibling or child) with a history of glaucoma
  5. you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you  are at risk of glaucoma

For a Domiciliary Eye Examination, one of the following criteria must be applicable:

  1. at home – if you’re unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability.
  2. at a residential or care home – if you’re a resident and unable to leave the home unaccompanied
    because of physical or mental illness or disability.
  3. at a day centre – if you cannot get a sight test at an optician’s practice because of physical or
    mental illness or disability, or difficulties communicating your health needs unaided.

You will also qualify for a free NHS sight test and be eligible for an optical voucher if you are:

  • aged under 16, or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education.
  • eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher.
  • a prisoner on leave from prison.

If you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you’re under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

  • Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not contribution based).
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
  • Universal Credit and meet the criteria If you’re entitled to or named on:
  • a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you don’t have a certificate, you can show your
    award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability
    element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less.
  • a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2).

People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.