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Eyesight: Testing

Asked by Helen MaguireLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 30 March 2026UIN 123048

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including eligibility for an NHS sight test in the GP learning disability annual health check programme.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

Free National Health Service sight tests are provided by community optometrists to eligible groups, including children, people aged 60 years old and over, people on low incomes, and those at risk of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism are also eligible for free NHS sight tests, where integrated care boards are commissioning a service within a special educational setting.

Adults may qualify under existing exemptions, including being in receipt of income-related benefits or through the NHS low-income scheme.

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