The government has confirmed that people at increased risk of glaucoma are entitled to a free eye test through the NHS. Other groups may also qualify for free sight tests.
Parliamentary question on glaucoma care
In a written parliamentary question, MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi asked the health secretary what steps the department is taking to improve glaucoma care in Slough and the South East.
Responding on behalf of the health secretary, Bury North MP James Frith said: "Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet the needs of their local populations, including services for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of glaucoma."
Free sight tests and guidance
Frith added: "National Health Service sight tests play an important role in detecting glaucoma, and free NHS sight tests are available to those at increased risk of glaucoma."
He noted that National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance supports timely diagnosis and management of glaucoma, and that NHS England's recently published Getting It Right First Time glaucoma best practice guidance highlights approaches to improve glaucoma care.
Who is eligible for free NHS eye tests
According to the NHS website, free eye tests are available to those under 16, and to those aged 16 to 18 in full-time education. The full list of entitlements includes:
- being under 16
- being 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education, including at a school, college, university or at home
- being 60 or over
- being registered as partially sighted or blind
- having been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- being 40 or over with a parent, sibling or child diagnosed with glaucoma
- having been advised by an eye doctor that you are at risk of glaucoma
- being a prisoner on leave from prison
- being eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher, with advice from your optician
- being entitled to or named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
