How much can I claim from my employer for glasses?

The Eyes are the most important part of our body because without vision we can barely move. But still, we don’t take good care of them. A significant portion of our workday is spent in front of screens. Surprisingly, only one-third of employers provide comprehensive eye care benefits for their employees.

If you are an employee facing eye problems or visual discomforts due to your work, you are entitled to a free eye test from your employer. Maintaining a good workplace and taking care of employees’ overall health is the responsibility of the employer. And, not to mention, good eye health is a major contributor to workers’ well-being.

Employer’s Legal Obligations

As per the Health and Safety Legislation UK, an employer must protect their workers from health risks arising from working with display screen equipment (DSE). The legislation states that any employee who uses a digital screen at their workstation is a DSE user and is entitled to a free eye test and eye care by their employer under certain circumstances which we’ll discuss later. However, these regulations do not apply to workers who use a display screen for a short time or infrequently.

What are the Common Eye Problems at Work?

Most of our work involves using digital devices such as computers or laptops. And using them for more than 2 to 3 hours can cause various visual discomfort. Various eye discomforts can reduce the productivity of the employees and it can also lead to a feeling of exhaustion.

The eye discomfort caused because of screens for longer periods can lead to serious or permanent vision loss or it can be progressive damage too. The visual problems are also known as computer vision syndrome.

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer vision syndrome is frequent eye damage that occurs when any person uses a computer or any other digital device for extended hours.

Though the initial problems seem comparatively smaller but can get unbearable for some employees to continue their work in perfection. Here are the common problems listed by various employees:

• Itchiness in the eyes
• Headache and eye strain
• Burning sensation
• Dry eyes syndrome
• Watery eyes or Blurry vision
• The feeling of an external particle in the eyes

What are Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Users?

If you fall under the category of being a DSE user then you are completely entitled to a free eye test. The law for a healthy workplace environment states that if any DSE user asks for an eye test because they are experiencing vision problems then the employers should rightly arrange it.

DSE users are office employees who use display screen equipment like monitors or laptops to perform a significant part of their work. The Health and Safety Executive mentions that any employee who is a regular DSE user or works on display screen equipment for more than three hours a day then needs a frequent break and the right treatment ensuring free eye tests and glasses.

Does An Employer Have to Pay for Eye Tests?

If your work involves operating on a computer or laptop then you are a DSE user hence you have the right to ask for an eye test. Your employer can arrange an eye test at your workplace and they have to pay for the cost of the eye examination. The optometrist or the optician will be decided by the employer, not the employees and hence it becomes their responsibility to pay the complete fee. All the DSE users can ask for an annual or routine eye test to ensure their good eye health.

Does An Employer Have to Pay for Glasses?

If the eye test proves that you need glasses in order to protect your vision then it's the employer's duty to provide you with the glasses. Instead of prescription glasses, computer glasses are provided to suppress any further visual damage to the employees. If you require computer glasses then the complete charge would be paid by your employer. The glasses are not high-prescription glasses but rather designed for DSE users.

The cost of the glasses is very basic and it involves frames and lenses. If there is any further complication then you can set a fixed limit for the basics of glasses that the employer is willing to pay hence the matter will be communicated easily. If a person wants to buy a particular type of frame that exceeds the limit, then the employer can pay the basic cost while the employee pays the additional charge.

Conclusion

If you are an employee who falls under the DSE user category then you can claim a free eye test from your employer. Even if you are not and have discomfort in your eye, then you can come to the Specscart store and claim a free eye test. You can also explore our wide range of glasses at 70% lower prices than the high-street both in-store and online.