Free sight tests for special schools

The government and NHS England announced that all special education settings will offer free NHS sight exams.

Serious vision problems are 28 times more likely to affect children with learning disabilities. All children can still receive free NHS eye exams from an optician. A further round of testing at special education day schools will be implemented the following year, building on the NHS Long Term Plan's promise to provide eye tests in residential special schools.

A successful pilot programme has demonstrated the advantages of receiving tests and individualised guidance in their comfortable learning environments for special school students, who may experience additional barriers in accessing services from opticians for eye testing.

With the intention of expanding these in residential special schools, NHS England launched the pilot sight testing project in special schools in 2021. If the trial is successful, the option will be made available to all-day schools.

To further develop the programme before it is implemented from 2024 to 2025, NHS England will soon start a period of engagement with the public, special schools, and other important stakeholders.

Existing testing arrangements will be maintained during this engagement.

You can read more by accessing this link.