Eye exams - free on NHS?

Can I (here on a spousal visa) get an eye exam for free on NHS?

If so, does it matter where you go? 

I have an appt. tomorrow and would like to know.  Thx!

Not unless you're on benefits, maternity certificate or under age 16.

Not unless you're on benefits, maternity certificate or under age 16.

So how much do eye exams cost, anyway?  I've always been confused about the provisions for this in the NHS- I'm going to need new glasses and contact lenses soon and I have no clue where to start with this here.

Two people at work have told me they're free 

I'm confused!

I've always had to pay for them except when I was pregnant.(which is most the time!) I think I paid about £20. My sons get theirs free.
My husband had one last year and also had to pay. I never heard of them free on the NHS.

I found this info. You're entitled to free eye exams on the NHS if your'e:
Aged 60 or over
Under 16 or under 19 and still in full time education
Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
40 years of age or over with a close relative with glaucoma
Registered blind or partially sighted
In need of complex lenses (you may also get an optical voucher)
You are also entitled to a free NHS sight test if you (or your partner) are receiving the following benefits or credits:

Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit (and are named on a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)
You are named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate

Not NHS but I went to Boots for mine, I think it was £25.

Two people at work have told me they're free 

I'm confused!

Some employers will reimburse you for the cost of eye exams and will pay for glasses or contacts (though usually not the entire fee for those).

Some employers will reimburse you for the cost of eye exams and will pay for glasses or contacts (though usually not the entire fee for those).

Yes, that is what my employer does (thus not sure of the cost but I believe when I was a Boot's it came up as £25 on the register).

It may be a good idea to ask your HR dept if they offer that benefit. (Its not in our employee manual, I learned of it through a co-worker).

I wonder if its different in Scotland..

I guess I'll find out tomorrow!

My last employer reimbursed for eye exams for employees who stared at the computer all day. Can't remember if it was one per year or one every other year....

Check out D&A Opticians - on their website they often run special offers. I got coupons for £10 eye exams for dh and myself last year....

I wonder if its different in Scotland..

I guess I'll find out tomorrow!

It is different up here.  They started last year with the free eye exams.  You just call and book, the NHS picks up the tab as long as you qualify for NHS treatment.  Another cool thing about Scotland!

Two people at work have told me they're free 

I'm confused!

I think companies are required to pay for your eye exams if you work with VDU's every day. Which may be why your co-workers assumed that. Have you checked your employee benefits? Most companies will give you a voucher for a free eyecare test, but you need to request it before you take the test.

It is different up here.  They started last year with the free eye exams.  You just call and book, the NHS picks up the tab as long as you qualify for NHS treatment.  Another cool thing about Scotland!

Wow, that's cool!

Yep Kathleen is correct:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/03/31123423

But I have noticed some opticians here still charge for the test?! I guess you have to shop around for an NHS one, like with a dentist?