An eye examination is a battery of tests performed by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or orthoptist assessing vision and ability to focus on and discern objects, as well as other tests and examinations pertaining to the eyes. All people should have periodic and thorough eye examinations as part of routine primary care, especially since many eye diseases are silent or asymptomatic.

Eye examinations may detect potentially treatable blinding eye diseases, ocular manifestations of systemic disease, or signs of tumours or other anomalies of the brain.

The Department of Health estimates that 17.2 million eye examinations were conducted in the UK in the 12 months to 31 March 2004 and, of these, 11.4 million were paid for by the NHS

You are entitled to a free sight test, paid for by the NHS, if:

• you are under 16 years of age,
• you are 16, 17, or 18, and in full-time education, 
• you are 60 or over, 
• you have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, 
• you are 40 or over, and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma, 
• an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) has advised you that you’re at risk of glaucoma,
• you are registered as blind or partially sighted, 
• you are prescribed complex lenses – these are lenses with a power of 10 dioptres or more, or prism controlled bifocal lenses, 
• your sight tests are usually done through a hospital eye department, as part of your care for an existing eye condition, or
• you are a war pensioner and you need the sight test because of a disability for which you get a war pension.

You are entitled to full help with health costs, including sight tests, if you or your partner receive:

• Income Support,
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, 
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

You can also get a free NHS sight test if you’re entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.

If you’re eligible for help with NHS costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme, you can claim some or all of the cost of sight tests for you, your partner and your children.

Proving your entitlement to a free NHS sight test

When you go for your sight test, you should tell your optometrist or optician that you are entitled to a free NHS sight test. They will give you a form called GOS1 to fill in and sign.

You may need to provide proof of your age, for example, to prove that you are over 60. You should show your optometrist an official document that gives your name and date of birth, such as your:

• birth certificate,
• NHS medical card,
• passport,
• travel concession card,
• pension award notice, or
• driving licence.

You may need to provide other proof of your entitlement to a free NHS sight test, depending on your circumstances. For example, you may need to take some of the documents or information below with you to your appointment:

• If you are entitled to full help with health costs, you will need to show your HC2 certificate or tax credit exemption certificate to your optometrist.
• If you are registered as blind or partially sighted, the name and address of the local authority where you are registered has to be filled in on the GOS1 form.
• If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, or an ophthalmologist has advised that you are at risk of glaucoma, you need to put the name and address of your doctor on the GOS1 form.
• If you already need a complex lens, if possible show the optometrist your last prescription or the glasses you are wearing.

If you are eligible for partial or limited help with your health costs, show your HC3 certificate to your optometrist and ask if you are entitled to help with the cost of your sight test. They will give you a form called GOS5 to fill in and sign.