Free NHS sight test - do I have to go to a special optician, or will Specsavers etc test me?

[CuppaTeaJanice]

It seems we're now poor enough to qualify for free prescriptions, dentist and sight tests.

Can't quite understand why, as we own a lovely 3 bedroom flat and 2 cars, DP earns quite a bit more than the minimum wage, and I'm self employed. Nevertheless it's very kind of the government to offer us all this free healthcare.

So how do I go about having the sight test. I'm overdue for one so need to book it soon. Do I have to go to a special NHS optician (does such a thing exist?) or do I just go to one of the High Street opticians and show them my exemption card?

Normal high street optician and show them the exemption cert when you are enrolling

oh! i got this too just this week - mine was triggered by child tax credit.

Think you can book most places - Boots for example have a display of NHS specs so they must do it.

I would book first and say you are exempt. Think it works the same way the exemption did when pregant.

I'm an optometrist in Ireland so don't deal with NHS but in all my dealings with UK colleagues have never come across one that didn't take NHS patients.