NHS glasses voucher - How much is it worth and what's the eligibility criteria?

Worried about NHS voucher glasses how much is it worth? Don't worry; the National Health Service provides you enough help to afford your prescription glasses. Since our eyes are such an essential part of our body and we often use them unless you love to sleep a lot. The eyes get old with time or suffer from various defects that you have to cure through eye correction devices. Most people employ devices such as eyeglasses to correct their vision, but since the glasses cost is a bit steep, they look for an efficient alternative. That's when NHS comes to rescue, it provides relief with it's free and discounted service on eyecare through different services.

Why are people having such a hard time buying glasses? How does the NHS help in providing glasses in less money, and how can you be a part of that? Read on to find out about how the NHS provides optical vouchers for people and what's it worth.

According to the latest report from Statista, 68% of the people in the United Kingdom wear glasses and ranks third in the European country with more patients wearing spectacles. Younger people are more likely to wear glasses than older adults. Between 18% and 21% of 16 to 50-year-olds wear glasses compared to people over 50. 

How expensive are eyeglasses in the U.K.?

Eyecare in the U.K. is relatively high as the average cost of an eye test costs around £21.31, and on top, you have to pay more for your prescribed glasses. To ensure glasses durability, you have to add a few extras to secure it for a longer time like anti-scratch and Impact resistance. For big companies, glasses generally start from the range of £79 and £135 to £200 to £220. An essential pair of glasses without any extras added cost at least £49 while a designer piece of eyewear cost more than £220.

You might think that such a considerable number of people wearing glasses would make the eyewear companies provide glasses at an affordable rate, but unfortunately, that's not the case. The eyewear market is not competing to render affordability among consumers but brutally ripping off from them. However, the NHS offers excellent support in those situations where it provides free eye tests for people and, in addition, offers optical vouchers for glasses. Find out here how you can also get a free NHS funded eye test and what's it's eligibility criteria are. 

What is an NHS optical voucher?

The National Health System of the United Kingdom offers a cut-off on the prices of the eyeglasses with vouchers. NHS provides vouchers for free eye tests, and optical vouchers are something that comes in the addition of that. Vouchers are printed paper with government approval for getting a discount on lenses and glasses to the entitled holder. You get a reduced cost on your glasses, which you would typically pay for more. However, NHS vouchers are not for everyone to use, and you have to fulfil the required criteria for getting the benefits of discount eye health care.

Who is entitled to get an NHS voucher?

As we already mentioned, the NHS has criteria for people to fulfil to be eligible for the vouchers. NHS vouchers help people in the cost of buying glasses if only you fall under the given rules:

You are a child under age 16.

You are aged between 16-18 and have a full-time education.

You are a senior citizen who is aged over 60.

You are a prisoner and are on leave. 

You are registered partially or slightly blind.

You have a risk of Glaucoma that's been advised by an ophthalmologist.

You are identified as Diabetic or a person diagnosed with Glaucoma.

You are 40 or over and have any person from the family diagnosed with Glaucoma.

You have an NHS complex lens voucher -It will be given to you by your optician.

Income-based Criteria

You get Income Support.

You get a Jobseeker's Allowance.

You get an Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

You get a guaranteed credit part of Pension Credit.

You get a Universal Credit. 

You have a certificate of HC2 under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

How much is NHS optical voucher worth?

Many people want to know the answer to this question: NHS glasses voucher how much is it worth? The NHS optical voucher doesn't have one specific value for glasses and lenses. It varies depending on the strength of the prescription of your eyes. The value of the NHS voucher starts with £39.10 to £215.30, so if your glasses fall under the given price range, then it's considered free. If it costs more than the given discount price on the vouchers, you will have to pay the additional expense. There are ten different types of optical voucher values provided by the NHS that range between £39.10 to £215.50, and you'll get a voucher-based on your eye prescription. 

What are the ten types of Voucher value of NHS glasses

The different types of voucher value given to you by the NHS, depending on the strength of your prescription. Your opticians will recommend which voucher to opt for based on the condition of your vision and prescription. Here are the listed vouchers for single Vision and bifocal/varifocal glasses:

Single vision Vouchers:

Voucher A - £39.10

Voucher B - £59.30

Voucher C - £86.90

Voucher D - £196.00

Bifocal/ Varifocal Vouchers:

Voucher E - £67.50

Voucher F - £85.60

Voucher G - £111.20

Voucher H - £215.50

Hospital eye service vouchers

Voucher I - £200.80

Voucher J - £57.00 per lens

Complex vouchers

Single Vision - £14.60

Bifocal - £37.40

Prism 

Single Vision - £12.60

Varifocals/Bifocals -£15.40

Tint

Single Vision - £4.40

Varifocals/Bifocals- £4.90

Can you get free NHS-funded glasses?

NHS provides free eye tests and vouchers for glasses that help you in getting glasses at a discount if you fulfil its criteria. Unfortunately, it does not offer free glasses. However, if your glasses fall under the range of £39.10 to £215.30 and don't charge any additional fee, then you can consider it free. If not, then you have to pay additional charges. 

How can I get my NHS voucher?

Once you know that you are eligible for an NHS voucher, book an eye test just to declare that you qualified for the free eye examination and hence NHS optical voucher. Once you do that, your optician will provide for you a yellow paper called GOS3 optical voucher where your prescription is mentioned. Make sure that the GOS3 has the optometrist name, ophthalmic list number, your prescription details, the optometrist's signature, and the date of the exam mentioned in the front section of the form. You can now use the GOS3 to any retail eyewear store that accepts NHS vouchers or any opticians.

Where can you get a Free Exam that's eligible for every age group?

Do you want a free eye exam even if you don't fulfil the NHS eligibility requirement for a free eye test? Don't worry; we got you covered. Specscart provides comprehensive eye tests for free to every person because we understand the high cost of eye tests in the market. You can also get NHS free eye tests and optical vouchers here, but even if you are not qualified for the NHS free service, you can always come to us. We also provide a great discount on millions of frames sorted in different colours, styles, designs, and material for prescription and non-prescription lenses. Not only that, but all are lenses are decked with free protective add-ons like anti-glare, anti-UV, anti-scratch, and impact resistance.