Mike Cees Opticians treats both NHS and private patients. Don't forget to tell us if you qualify for free or reduced-cost NHS treatment so we can adjust your bill correctly.
If you're not eligible for NHS-funded sight tests or optical vouchers, you'll have to cover all the costs yourself. We try to keep private costs as affordable as possible - a basic eye exam currently costs 37.50.
NHS Patients
If you aren't sure if you qualify for NHS treatment, just ask. Our opticians can advise if your medical history or current vision prescription entitles you to free NHS treatments or complex lens vouchers.
Most NHS patients are entitled to a free eye test every 2 years. However, if you have any new symptoms or changes to your vision, please let us know and we can arrange a free check up sooner if we think it is needed. We can also arrange more frequent NHS eye exams for patients who need closer clinical monitoring.
NHS eligible patients can mix and match how their treatment is funded to find the right option for them. For example, you can receive a free NHS eye test, then use your optical voucher to reduce the cost of your glasses, but pay privately to upgrade the lens coatings. We have a range of frames available in every price range, so let us know if you need to stick to a budget and we'll help you find the perfect frames for you.
If you have paid for an eye care privately but are eligible for NHS help, you can claim a refund. You can also claim refunds on the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you qualify for an NHS voucher. Click here to download an HC5(O) form.
Free NHS eye tests
You're entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
- are under 16
- are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
- are 60 or over
- are registered as partially sighted or blind
- have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
- have been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you're at risk of glaucoma
- are a prisoner on leave from prison
- are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optician can advise you about your entitlement
You're also entitled if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
If you're entitled to or named on:
- a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
- a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help with the cost of a private sight test.
Click here to find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
NHS optical vouchers
You're entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you:
- are under 16
- are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
- are a prisoner on leave from prison
- are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – an optician can advise you about your entitlement
You're also entitled if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
If you're entitled to or named on:
- a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
- a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
Click here to find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
NHS complex lens vouchers
To be eligible for a complex lens voucher, your lenses need to be either -10/+10 dioptres or more, or prism-controlled bifocal lenses.
Complex lens vouchers are a contribution towards the cost of these lenses – currently £15.55 for single vision lenses and £39.90 for bifocal lenses.
The vouchers are only available to those who meet the clinical criteria and are not eligible for one of the main optical vouchers.
Mobile sight test
If you're eligible for a free NHS sight test, you may also be entitled to a mobile sight test. This is when an optometrist comes to visit you:
- at home – if you're unable to leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
- at a residential or care home – if you're a resident and unable to leave the home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability
- at a day centre – if you cannot get a sight test at an optician's practice because of physical or mental illness or disability, or have difficulties communicating your health needs unaided
Click here to find out more about our home eye exam service.
