Opticians carry out tests on your eyes to check the quality of your eye sight and look for signs of eye disease which may need treatment from a doctor or eye surgeon.
They also prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
Eye-care professionals who work in opticians’ practices can be optometrists, ophthalmic medical practitioners or dispensing opticians:
- optometrists, also called ophthalmic opticians, who carry out eye tests to check the quality of your sight, look for signs of eye disease which may need treatment from a doctor or eye surgeon and prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses
- ophthalmic medical practitioners, who are medical doctors trained to carry out eye examinations and prescribe glasses
- dispensing opticians, fit glasses and contact lenses, but do not test eyes. They can give you advice on types of lens, such as single-vision or bifocal, and help you to choose frames.
How do I find an NHS optician?
To find an optician near to where you live please enter your postcode in the search option on the My Health London website.
Am I entitled to a free NHS sight test?
Some patients are entitled to free NHS sight tests and optical vouchers to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses. To find out if you are entitled to a free NHS eye test and optical vouchers please visit the Eye Care Entitlements page of the NHS Choices website.