It depends on whether you’re eligible. If you qualify, an NHS optical voucher provides help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
Who is eligible?
You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you are:
- under 16
- under 19 and in full-time education
- eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optometrist (optician) can advise you about your entitlement
- a prisoner on leave from prison
You may also get an NHS optical voucher if you:
- receive Income Support
- receive Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not Contribution-based)
- receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based)
- are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
If you’re named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3), you may also get help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.
If you’re entitled to an NHS optical voucher, you can take it with your prescription to any optician and use it towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.
Proving your entitlement to an NHS optical voucher
Your optician will ask you to show proof that you’re entitled to an NHS optical voucher. For more information, see the NHS leaflet Help with health costs (PDF, 287.10kb). This leaflet explains which documents you will need to prove that you’re entitled to an NHS optical voucher.
What is the value of an NHS optical voucher?
The value of your voucher will depend on the strength of your prescription: the more complex or stronger your prescription, the higher the value of the voucher that you will be entitled to.
Your optician can explain how much your NHS optical voucher is worth.
For more information about help with eye health costs, see eye care entitlements.
Read the answers to more questions about NHS services and treatments.
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