Who might I see when I visit an optician?
Eye-care professionals who work in opticians’ practices can be:
- optometrists - also called ophthalmic opticians - who carry out eye tests to check the quality of your sight, look for signs of eye disease which may need treatment from a doctor or eye surgeon and prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
- ophthalmic medical practitioners, who are medical doctors trained to carry out eye examinations and prescribe glasses, and
- dispensing opticians, who fit glasses and contact lenses, but do not test eyes. They can give you advice on types of lens, such as single-vision or bifocal, and help you to choose frames.
Am I entitled to a free NHS sight test?
You are entitled to a free NHS sight test if you are:
- under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education,
- aged 60 or over,
- registered blind or partially sighted,
- diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma,
- aged 40 or over with a first-degree relative with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma, or
prescribed a complex lens.
You are also entitled to a free NHS sight test if you (or your partner) receive the following benefits or credits:
- Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (not contribution based),
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit,
- are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or
- are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2).
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) might also get help.
You will be asked to show proof of your entitlement to free NHS sight tests.
How do I complain about an optician?
If you are not happy with the service or treatment provided by your optician, optometrist (also called an ophthalmic optician) or dispensing optician, you have the right to make a complaint.
Wherever possible, complaints should be made direct to the optician, as it should be possible to sort out the problem straight away. If the matter cannot be resolved, however, or if you would prefer to talk to someone who is not involved with the particular optician concerned, then you should write to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service at:
OCCS
PO Box 219,
Petersfield GU32 9BY
Phone: 08448005071
Fax: 01730265058
Email: postbox@opticalcomplaints.co.uk
If you are unable to complain for yourselve, someone else - usually a relative or close friend - can complain for you. The Optical Consumer Complaints Service will then require a written authority from the you or the authorised representative before the complaint can be registered. It is also important that any complaint is made as soon as possible after the event.
More information about how to complain is available from the Optical Consumer Complaints Service website.
If the complaint is about an ophthalmic medical practitioner (OMP), it should be made to the General Medical Council
Should children have eye tests?
Eye problems are common in children but may not be noticed by parents. Because of this it is very important that all children have their eyes tested - even if parents are not worried.
All babies will have their eyes checked at about 6 weeks of age by the GP or health visitor. The school nurse or orthoptist (a specialist in vision and eye abnormalities) will then normally test them again at the school entry check at 4-5 years.
Young children with suspected problems will be referred to the orthoptist who works in local health clinics or to the hospital eye clinic, where you may see the orthoptist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
Once a child's vision has been checked and is shown to be normal, they do not need regular eye checks unless parents notice any problems. If at any time parents have any concerns about their child's eyes they should ask for advice from their health visitor, GP, or school nurse. Older children (usually over the age of 5 years) can visit the optometrist (optician).
In the future the NHS wants to give all children an orthoptic eye test during their first year at full-time school. This is a better way of doing things, and is already happening in many parts of the country.
Eye problems can develop at any age. Not all parents know their child has an eye problem.
Please remember to take your child to all their developmental checks.
If you have concerns ask your GP, health visitor or school nurse for advice.
Children's eye testing is free on the NHS.
Childhood squint
A paediatric consultant explains the causes of squints, a misalignment of the eye. He describes how to identify the symptoms and the treatment options
Last reviewed: 24/03/2009
Next review due: 23/03/2011
