Getting Your Glasses Prescription
Where
You need to get an eye test done by a qualified Optometrist. So you’ll need to go off to your nearest Optician for that eye test. You can get this done at any Optician, regardless of whether you are going to buy glasses from them or not.
At the end of the eye test your optician MUST give you a copy of your prescription. They are obliged by law to do this. They shouldn’t imply or insist that you buy glasses from them.
Whilst you’re there you should ask them to take your Pupillary Distance measure (otherwise known as PD). They don’t have to do this, but most will do it for free as part of the eye test. We’ll talk more about what this measurement is later in this guide.
If you can’t get the PD measurement, don’t worry as this is something you can measure yourself which we’ll walk you through in this guide in a later section as well.
Cost & Discounts
At the time of writing (2008), an average eye test costs from around twenty to thirty pounds.
However, you might be able to get your eye test FOR FREE either through the NHS, your employer, or even through online deals.
Employer -
if you work using a computer screen (VDU) at work, your employer must provide you with a free eye test if you ask. Usually this is done by your employer issuing you with a voucher that an optician will take as payment for the eye test.
NHS -
You are entitled to a free NHS sight test if you are:
- under 16 years of age, or 16, 17, or 18 years of age and in full time education,
- 60 years of age, or over,
- registered as blind, or partially sighted,
- diagnosed with diabetes, or glaucoma,
- 40 years of age, or over, and have a first degree relative, such as father, mothers, sister, or brother, with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an opthalmologist (a doctor who specialises in eye conditions) that you are at risk of glaucoma, or
- you are receiving certain benefits, or credits (see 'further information' below for more details).
You may also be entitled to a free sight test if you are prescribed certain complex lenses, such as certain types of bifocal, or powerful lenses. Check with your optometrist for more information about this.
If you are eligible for help with NHS costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme, you can claim some or all of the cost of sight tests, glasses and/or contact lenses for you, your partner and your children.
You are already entitled to full help with health costs if you or your partner are receiving Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or if you are named on a Tax Credit NHS Exemption Certificate
Online -
There are often many opticians, particularly the larger chains that offer free eye test deals. Just search online either through a search engine or on www.moneysavingexpert.com and see if you can find one. The opticians do this in the hope that you’ll buy glasses from them after your test, but remember that you are under no obligation at all to do this.
Next onto: Understanding Prescription
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