NHS funding in Wales

This leaflet aims to help you understand whether you’re eligible for a sight test paid for by the NHS (an NHS sight test) or help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.

In Wales, you qualify for an NHS sight test (WGOS1) if you:

• Are aged 60 or over
• Are registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired
• Have diabetes
• Have glaucoma or been told by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or glaucoma qualified practitioner that you’re at risk of glaucoma or
• Are 40 or over and have a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter who has been diagnosed with glaucoma
• At risk of developing eye disease based on ethnicity
• Are uniocular (have only one eye)
• Are hearing impaired
• Have retinitis pigmentosa
  
   

You are entitled to an NHS sight test, and may also get a voucher towards the costs of glasses or contact lenses, if you:

• Are a full time student aged 16, 17 or 18
• Are under 18 who are a care leaver or are in the care of a local authority
• Have been prescribed complex lenses and are eligible for a ‘complex lens voucher’ (your optometrist can tell you more about this)
• Are on, or your partner is on, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Tax Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Receive, or your partner receives, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Are awarded Universal Credit and meet the criteria on earnings limit
• 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 (HC2W)
• Are a prisoner on leave

If you are named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3W), you may also get help towards the costs of glasses or contact lenses.

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

If you live in Wales, most optometrists can also offer an eye health examination (WGOS2) (paid for by the NHS) this is split into three bands, the eligibility criteria are as follows: 

WGOS 2 Band 1

You have an acute eye problem or have been referred or self referred to the optometry practice. 

WGOS 2 Band 2

Your eye care practitioner may perform this examination if you require additional tests after your sight test (WGOS1).

WGOS 2 Band 3

Your eye care practitioner needs to carry out a review after you have undergone a WGOS 2 Band 1.

More information

A lot of the information in this leaflet is taken from the Wales Eye Care Services website.

Resources for your practice

Download our patient leaflet on NHS funding in Wales.