NHS Coverage

This guide explains how sight tests are funded in each of the four nations of the United Kingdom. The NHS-funded sight test is a nationally commissioned service in each UK nation. 

Optometrists, like many other primary care professionals, are contracted by the NHS to deliver NHS services. The General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contract pays a standard amount of money for each sight test that is conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmic medical practitioner (OMP) on behalf of the NHS. GOS also pays fees to deliver domiciliary sight tests for people that cannot attend an appointment on the High Street.Each year the price of GOS test in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is set by government after discussions with the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (ONFC). The OFNC is made up of representatives from the Optical Confederation, the Local Optical Council Support Unit (LOCSU) and the British Medical Association (BMA), who negotiate this fee with the Department of Health and NHS England.In Scotland, Optometry Scotland negotiates this fee with the Scottish Government.

The following groups are eligible for free NHS sight tests in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:

• Under 16 years of age, or under 19 and in full time education
• Aged 60 or over
• Registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired
• Diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
• Aged 40 and over and a close family member has been diagnosed with glaucoma
• Considered to be at risk of glaucoma
• Prisoners on leave from prison
• Eligible for NHS complex lens voucher
• Receive income support, or income based job seekers allowance
• Receive pension credit (guarantee credit), income based employment and support allowance, or universal credit
• Are entitled too, or named on a valid NHS exemption certificate or a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs 

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, people who do not qualify for an NHS sight test pay for their sight tests privately. The fees for this are market driven and vary. The basic requirements for NHS and private sight tests are identical but some practices have invested in equipment which allows them to provide more specialised examinations, and they may charge extra for this.