What's available under
the NHS?
Under the NHS, an eye examination is available without charge for all children up to the age of 16, and under 19 in full-time education. As an indication of the recognized importance of children's sight care, only a qualified practitioner - an optometrist, ophthalmic medical practitioner or dispensing optician registered with the General Optical Council, is permitted by law to supply children's spectacles. Vision defects can be corrected by optical means, and the registered practitioner is the professional with the training to advise on eyecare matters.
Following
an eye examination, if glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, parents are entitled
to cash help
in the form of a voucher towards the cost of it. The value of
the voucher issued is determined by the
prescription needed. Most optical
practices are able to offer a range of good quality, low cost frames;
putting
a few extra pounds towards the glasses opens up the choice of attractive frames
considerably.
Free
NHS sightests are also available for the over 60's
