Are You Entitled to a Free Eye Test?

Your sight is one of the most important things you possess, which is why it's crucial that you do everything you can to look after your eyes. Like going to the dentist, you should also regularly have check-ups for your eyes because you never know when a problem might arise that could've been prevented had it been caught earlier in its development.

In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) provides free eye tests to many people that qualify under a list of requirements. Even if you do not qualify and have to pay for your eye tests, it is still worth having one.

However, we all know how much more appealing it is to undertake something if it's free, which is why it's so good that the NHS provides free tests for many people. In Scotland, eye tests are free for everybody courtesy of the NHS, meaning there is no excuse not to have your eyes tested if you live north of the border.

In England, children aged 16 and under all qualify for free eye tests, and this age extends to 18 if the individual is still in full time education. On the other end of the scale, free eye tests are available to anybody older than 60, which is useful as it is around this age that eyesight can weaken significantly and it is imperative to discover any problems that could affect us badly in later life.

If you are on certain benefits, you can also receive a free eye test, as can your parents - and so can those who are affected by diabetes or glaucoma. If you are immediately related to someone who has glaucoma - the child, brother or sister - then you can also receive free eye tests once you have reached the age of 40.

In addition to the above, anybody who has an exemption certificate (HC2) can receive free eye tests, as can their partners.

Finally, if you need certain complex contact lenses, you are eligible to receive free eye tests and should do so regularly to ensure that your eyesight is always being treated with the correct strength of lens to avoid further damage and allow you the freedom of better sight.

If you undergo an eye test, you may be told that you need glasses. The NHS can help with this, again if you qualify, so it's worth finding out if this is the case.

Our sight is important and must be looked after so, if you fall under any of the groups above, a free eye test may help diagnose problems that have yet to fully develop meaning that your eyesight will be better in the future.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.