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Having a sight test

Sight tests are an important way of identifying any problems early on. They:

• Find an optician near you Opens new window
• Sight care and services (disabled people section)
• Free prescriptions and sight tests for over 50s (over 50s section)
• Eye care for children (parents section)

You may be entitled to a free National Health Service (NHS) sight test.

• Check out if you are entitled to a free eye test on the NHS website Opens new window

Sight prescriptions

If you need glasses or contact lenses, a prescription will be given to you by an optometrist or ophthalmic medical practitioner, this prescription will be valid for two years. Opticians will supply and fit glasses or contact lenses according to your prescription.

Getting glasses or contact lenses

All glasses and contact lenses are provided privately. However if you fit into any of the following categories, you may be entitled to an NHS optical voucher to help toward the cost - and in some cases, repairs or replacements if the glasses are broken or lost:

You can find out more about optical vouchers on the Department of Health website.

• Find out more about NHS optical vouchers Opens new window

Common eyesight problems

The following eye problems are the most common.

Problems corrected by glasses or contact lenses

Problems not necessarily related to vision loss

Problems associated with vision development in children

• Eye care for children (parents section)

Problems that cause vision loss

More information on conditions can be found on the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website, in booklets available from The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and in the Health A-Z on the NHS Choices website.

• More common eye conditions on the RNIB website Opens new window
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists booklets Opens new window
• Health A-Z on NHS Choices Opens new window

Dealing with serious eye problems

NHS consultant ophthalmologists and other professional staff provide a wide range of treatments for eye problems. If you need to be referred for treatment your optometrist or doctor will arrange this.

Refractive eye laser surgery, used to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism is not considered an essential medical treatment and is therefore not generally available through the NHS.

Getting low vision aids

If you are experiencing sight loss, various aids may help you make use of your remaining vision. Low vision aids (LVAs) are prescribed and loaned through the NHS. The service might be provided by the Hospital Eye Service or, in some parts of the country, local opticians' practices. Some opticians provide LVAs privately, but there will be a charge. Talk to your optometrist or family doctor first, they will be aware of the local arrangements.

• Find out more about low-vision aids
• Find a NHS low-vision service on the RNIB website Opens new window
• Find your local doctor on the NHS Choices website Opens new window

Help from your local council

If you are experiencing problems with your vision that is affecting your ability to do things at home, work or school your local council may provide services including:

Your local council may have a contract with a voluntary organisation to provide these services rather than providing all these services itself.

• Sight care and services (disabled people section)
• Find your local council

Are you registered sight impaired/blind?

If a hospital consultant ophthalmologist certifies that you are severely sight impaired/blind or sight impaired/partially sighted, you can ask to be registered with the local council. If you are registered as blind it entitles you to help in a number of ways, including the Blue Badge parking scheme and a discount on your TV licence.

• Independent living if you are blind or visually impaired (disabled people section)
• The Blue Badge parking scheme (disabled people section)

Paying for, or getting free, NHS treatment

You may be entitled to a free sight test or help with paying for glasses or contact lenses on the NHS. You can find out more about charges in the HC12 leaflet published on the Department of Health website.

• NHS charges and optical vouchers leaflet (leaflet HC12) Opens new window

Getting a second opinion

If you want a second opinion about your condition or treatment at any stage, then ask your local doctor. They can refer you to another specialist if you both agree it is necessary.

• The NHS Direct guide to getting a second opinion Opens new window

Making a complaint

Anyone who has received goods or services from an optician using the services of an optometrist or a dispensing optician registered with the General Optical Council can make a complaint.

• Check the General Optical Council's opticians' register Opens new window

It should be possible to sort out the problem straight away by making a complaint direct to the optician concerned. However, if the matter cannot be resolved, then you should write to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service. They will deal with concerns where spectacles and/or contact lenses have been supplied within the last twelve months.

• More about the Optical Consumer Complaints Service Opens new window