Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of additional costs incurred during eye tests on low income households attending opticians.

Free National Health Service sight tests are available to individuals on income-related benefits, and help is also available through the NHS low income scheme. An ophthalmic practitioner is required to undertake any clinically necessary tests to determine if a patient has any signs of injury, disease, or abnormality, and to refer the patient for any necessary further investigations. Therefore, no patient receiving a sight test under the NHS is required to incur any additional costs.

Additionally, NHS optical vouchers to help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses are available for eligible groups, including people on income-related benefits, and through the NHS low-income scheme. Patients can use their voucher to purchase their optical appliance from a supplier of choice, and there are providers who offer a range of glasses within voucher value.