Step one: Apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (HC1 form). It’s a bit like doing your taxes, but with fewer tears.
Once approved, you get a certificate. Show it to the optician like a VIP pass.
Step two: Don’t book the test first. Always ask, “Do you accept NHS vouchers for Universal Credit?”
Some shops say yes. Some say no. It’s a weird optician lottery.
The Fun Part: Your Freebie Includes More Than You Think
A free eye test isn’t just the “Is this lens better or worse?” game.
Prescription Glasses Universal Credit at Linda Fujiwara blog
You get dilation drops that make you look like a startled alien. You get a glaucoma check where they puff air at your eyeball.
And if you’re lucky, they’ll show you a photo of your retina. That thing is gross and beautiful.
