Are children's eye tests always free?

[LadyCad]

I just could not understand the woman in my local Specsavers today. She kept talking about vouchers and twice she said "might not cost anything".

I just gave up in the end.

DD had her eyes tested less than 12m ago. I've booked her in for another test as she's getting headaches. Am I right in thinking the test will definitely be free but if she needs new glasses they will charge for those?

[MaureenMLove]

It is free. Even if she needs new glasses. (Unless she chooses the designer ones, which will cost between £20 and £30 iirc.

[Seona1973]

what age is your dd? DD is 6 and can get glasses from the free range at the opticians. We chose alternative frames the last time and paid £29 for them. She has her appointments through the hospital orthoptist as she was diagnosed as being long-sighted from the age of 18 months.

[LadyCad]

Oh thankyou Maureen.

Whatever was the woman on about then? Something to do with it being less than 12m since her last appt. I think I may cancel and go to the independent down the road.

[bigstripeytiger]

I agree, the test is free, glasses are free, if you choose the basic frames (which are perfectly nice). I had to pay for a spare set of glasses though for my DD, as they would only give her one pair on the NHS.

[LadyCad]

She's 9 Seona.

[LadyCad]

How much for the spares stripey?

Specsavers quoted £64 today.

£64?

[ShrinkingViolet]

at our optician test are free, but the vouchers only cover the cost of the lenses and I pay for the frames (independent, non-chain) - am happy to do that as I am very protective about eyes, and have had bad personal experiences with chain opticians - YMMV.
Only time I've had to pay for a child's appointment was when DD1 needed an emergency "problem with her eye, need it diagnosed" appointment, every sight check has been free, even if they've been as often as 3 months apart.
Check with the independent how they charge - ours are very upfront about their charges, but they do give fantastic service.

[Seona1973]

according to this page it depends on whether the test is deemed as clinically necessary. Maybe she was talking about that as your dd had a test less than 1 year ago.

[Seona1973]

I have shopped around with opticians as some charge for things others dont e.g. thinning of the lenses. We now use a local independant optician.

[LadyCad]

OK, thanks.

But the test itself is always free for children, is that right?

[Karoleann]

No its not always free for example if you had a test 3 months ago and decided you wanted another - just to check - then it wouldn't be free. However, if she's having problems as you mentioned headaches then it is free.. Hope its all okay

[bigstripeytiger]

At the optician that we use if we get a spare set glasses with the basic frames (the ones that would be free on NHS) the optician charges £36.

[LadyCad]

Thanks all!

[soremummy]

In most cases its free. The Lady in question was actually doing her job as per NHS training stipulates. A child who is on a 12 mth recall MIGHT have to pay for a test unless when the optician tests her she finds a change in her rx or there is some other problem and she needs referring to hospital. Tbh a lot of people with children do get them tested earlier than the 12mths because they fancy a chance of frames or a spare pair for the child and if there is a change in rx then they get the free eye test and voucher for the new glasses.