At the optician Dr Rob Hicks Regular eye tests not only make sure you're seeing clearly, they also pick up health conditions in their early stages, allowing effective treatment.

In this article

Why have a sight test?

Free tests

Choosing an optician

Opticians recommend that everyone has an eye test every couple of years, which has a number of advantages:

• It checks if you need glasses
• It helps diagnose medical conditions that require treatment such as diabetes, high blood pressure or glaucoma
• It provides the opportunity to learn how to look after your eyes and ask your optician any questions

You're entitled to a free NHS sight test if you're:

• Under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
• Aged 60 or over
• Registered blind or partially sighted
• Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
• Aged 40 or over with a close relative with glaucoma, or you've been advised by an ophthalmologist that you're at risk of the condition
• Prescribed a complex lens

You're 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 (not contribution based)
• Working Tax Credit and are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate
• Child Tax Credit and are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate
• You are named on a NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

For further information, talk to your optician or GP.

Your local health authority can provide a list of opticians in your area. You can also visit the NHS in England website or ask a friend or neighbour for a recommendation.

Once you've found a couple of opticians, it's important to confirm they're appropriately trained, registered with their governing body and insured. Having done this, make your final decision once you've established the services they provide. For example, do they see children (important if you have a family), do they provide a contact lens service and do they offer a screening service for diabetes or glaucoma?

Leaflets detailing the services offered are available from many opticians, so make sure you pick up a copy.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in February 2007.