Step 1

Check if you are eligible for an NHS optical voucher

Step 2

Check what you need to bring as proof

Step 3

Visit your nearest Specsavers to obtain your voucher

What is an NHS optical voucher?

The NHS gives funding towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses, in the form of an NHS optical voucher, to anyone who qualifies (this funding does not apply to everyone). Some people are also eligible for NHS funded eye tests. Find out if this applies to you here.

Check your eligibility for an NHS optical voucher

You can get an NHS optical voucher to help pay for the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you’re a UK resident and one or more of the following apply to you. Even if you don’t qualify, our glasses start from just £15 and that includes single-vision lenses.

AgeIncomeOther
0-15Receive Income Support Prisoner on leave from prison 
16, 17 or 18 and in full‑time education Receive Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not Contribution-based) Eligible for an NHS complex voucher
Receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based) 
Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit 
Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate 
Named on a valid HC2 certificate 
If you are named on a valid HC3 certificate, you might be able to get partial help towards the cost of your eye test. Ask in store.

What to bring as proof you qualify for NHS-funded eyecare

You only need to show one of these items, relevant to your circumstances (unless it says otherwise) as proof you qualify for an NHS-funded eye test or an NHS optical voucher for glasses.

Proof you qualify

Reason you qualifyWhat you qualify forWhat you can show in store as proof you qualify
Aged 0 - 15 An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses)No proof needed for this age group
Aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) Passport, student card, driving license
Aged 60 or over An NHS-funded eye test National Insurance number, passport, driving license
Registered as partially sighted or blind An NHS-funded eye test Certificate of registration as partially sighted or blind 
Diagnosed with diabetes An NHS-funded eye test Doctor's name and surgery address 
Diagnosed with glaucoma An NHS-funded eye test Statement that you are a glaucoma sufferer 
Advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you're at risk of glaucoma An NHS-funded eye testStatement that you are at risk of developing a glaucoma 
Aged 40 or over and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucomaAn NHS-funded eye test National Insurance number, passport, driving license
You are receiving benefits that entitle you to NHS funding for eyecare An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) An entitlement letter stating the benefits you receive 
Your partner is receiving benefits that entitle you to NHS funding for eyecareAn NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) Partners need to: be married or living together; have all of their partner's details; and be able to prove the benefit received 
You or your partner are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) Award notice from the Pension Centre
Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate 
In need of complex lenses An NHS-funded eye test (and an NHS optical voucher for glasses) No proof needed - the optician will decide during the eye test if complex lenses are required

Find your local store

Need to book an eye test? You’ll find your nearest store here, plus you could be eligible for an NHS-funded eye test, check to see if you qualify here. If you meet the criteria just check what you need to bring along as proof of eligibility, and then you can get your voucher from your nearest store.

Check your eligibilityFind your nearest store

Benefits of your NHS optical voucher

Free glasses using your NHS optical voucher 

If you choose a pair of glasses from our £15 to £50 ranges, your NHS optical voucher will fully cover the cost so you won’t need to pay anything. All our glasses include standard single-vision, Standard 1.5 bifocal or Standard 1.5 varifocal lenses with a scratch-resistant treatment. 

OR

Use your NHS optical voucher to buy glasses from another range 

Pay a small ‘top up’, together with your NHS optical voucher to get glasses from the £70 range or above (excluding sunglasses) and we pay the rest. For example, if you pay a £15 top up, you can get a £70 pair of glasses; if you pay £40 top up, you can get a £100 pair of designer glasses. 

Browse glasses

How our offers work with your NHS optical voucher

Instead of using your NHS optical voucher to get free glasses from the £15 to £50 ranges, you can alternatively use it as part-payment towards any of these great offers (you just pay the difference between your NHS optical voucher value and the full price of the offer): 

You can either use your NHS optical voucher with the ‘top up’ prices or with one of our offers but you cannot do both. Our store team can explain how to make your NHS optical voucher go further so you can get the very best value. 

FAQs

Who does not qualify for an NHS optical voucher?

Unfortunately, you are not entitled to an NHS optical voucher if you only receive the following:

  • Child Benefit
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Maternity Benefit
  • Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Tax Credit without an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own

How much is an NHS optical voucher worth?

The value of an NHS optical voucher depends on how strong your prescription is. The stronger the lens prescription, the more it costs to manufacture so the higher the value of the NHS optical voucher. For more information about help with eye health costs, see eyecare entitlements.

How often can you receive an NHS optical voucher for glasses or contact lenses?

You can receive an NHS optical voucher every two years if your prescription changes or your glasses are no longer functional due to general wear and tear (decided by your optician). If your prescription hasn’t changed and your glasses are still usable, you won’t be given an NHS optical voucher for new glasses.

Sometimes NHS optical vouchers can be issued more frequently, for example for a young child’s rapidly changing prescription, people recovering from cataract surgery or diabetics.

Can you use your NHS optical voucher to buy glasses or contact lenses at Specsavers if you had your eyes tested elsewhere?

You can purchase your glasses from Specsavers even if you did not have your eyes tested with us. Just bring your prescription and NHS optical voucher (the GOS3 form) from your eye test and we can advise you on frame styles and explain how the different pricing bands work with your NHS optical voucher value.

Is there NHS funding for optical repairs or replacements?

Children under 16 are entitled to NHS funding to help towards repair or replacement costs if glasses or contact lenses are lost or damaged.

For anyone aged 16 or over, the NHS will only fund repair or replacement costs if you qualify for an NHS optical voucher and the damage or loss was caused by an illness (confirmed by your local NHS authority).

Your store visit explained

What to expect when you come in for an eye test.

Find out more

See our offers

All the details on our offers including 2 for 1 and free varifocals.

Find out more

OCT scans and how to book

A guide to our advanced eye scanning service.

Find out more
Terms and conditions

Cannot be used with other offers.
1.5 - standard single-vision or lenses or 1.5 Standard varifocal lenses. Additional charge for extra lens options. One pair of complete glasses only. Subject to NHS optical voucher eligibility.. Offer available in the UK only.