NHS & Private

At Spex we offer both Private and NHS eye examinations. In both cases you will get a full refraction and examination of the back of your eyes

Many people are not aware of their eligibility to have a free eye examination on the NHS, categories for those eligible are:
All patients over 60 years of age
All patients under 16 years of age
Full time students aged 16,17 &18
Patients(or their partner) receiving Income Support, Income based Jobseekers Allowance,
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit guarantee credit, Tax Credit or named on an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
Patients with a valid HC2 certificate
Patients registered blind or partially sighted
Patients suffering from or considered to be at risk of developing glaucoma
Patients over 40 years of age with a parent/brother/sister or child with glaucoma
Patients with diabetes
Patients in Prison or on leave from Prison
Patients with complex prescriptions (over 10 dioptres)

Many people think receiving housing benefit entitle them to NHS eligibility but that is not the case

Among the tests we perform privately are cover overlay testing for patients with dyslexia or reading difficulties, and certain visual field examinations. Whilst not part of the NHS examination if our Optometrists or Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners feel it necessary we will provide visual field examinations without charge

We must stress that both Private and NHS patients are treated exactly the same in our practices, and both are very welcome at all times.