Hospital Spectacle Prescriptions and Vouchers
Date issued: July 2025
For review: July 2027
Ref: D-439/EC/Ophthalmology/Hospital Spectacle Prescriptions and Vouchers v2
PDF: Hospital Spectacle Prescriptions and Vouchers.pdf [pdf] 195KB
Your spectacle prescription (HES2)
A copy of your spectacle prescription has been issued for you to keep and use if you wish to have glasses dispensed. You will need it if you want to obtain spare or private spectacles.
Hospital prescriptions are valid until the next glasses check (refraction) is required, or you are discharged from the hospital. This may be longer than the usual 12 or 24 month recall period. You may see other eye health professionals in between refractions who may assess the suitability of your current prescription.
Spectacle vouchers (HES3)
An additional voucher can be issued if you are entitled to help with the cost of your glasses. See booklet HC11 or H12 for help with information about entitlement to help with the cost of your glasses. Please note that there is no automatic entitlement to a voucher at each refraction. A voucher may not be issued if there has not been a significant change in the prescription.
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Only one voucher per prescription for a pair of glasses will be issued. Please keep this safe and hand it to the dispenser/optician when ordering the glasses.
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In the event of loss, a replacement voucher may be issued at the hospital’s discretion. It will be logged as a replacement/duplicate and under no circumstances can you use the original voucher should it be found later.
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Voucher values are determined by the Secretary of State for Health. The exact value is determined by the power of your prescription. Each HES3 voucher is valid for a period of up to one year from the date of issue.
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You can choose where your prescription is dispensed, but if you are under 16, or are registered blind or partially sighted, you must take the prescription to a registered optician.
Spare pairs of glasses
There is no automatic entitlement to a spare pair of glasses on the hospital (HES) voucher scheme. Exceptionally it may be clinically necessary to provide a spare pair (this can be discussed with the hospital dispensing service).
Spare pairs of glasses can be discussed with your optical practice and would be paid for privately.
Tinted glasses/extras
Where tinted glasses are considered a clinically necessity, a tint voucher will be issued. The value of the tint voucher is the same whether it is for a fixed or changeable tint
(transitions/photochromatic lenses). This may not cover the total cost, and the difference will have to be self-funded. Similarly, the HES/GOS does not fund the extra cost of additional lens coatings such as ultraviolet filters, anti-reflection coatings nor thinner lens materials. Check with the dispenser/optician regarding the top up cost before you order the glasses.
Complex lens vouchers
Complex lens vouchers are issued for prescriptions with certain high-power lenses. If you are entitled to help with the cost of glasses for financial or other reasons a complex lens voucher will not be issued in addition.
Special facial characteristics supplement
Where a patients facial characteristics require a frame to be custom made, or specially adapted, a Special Facial Characteristics supplement (SFC) may be issued.
Small glasses supplement
Where patients require very small glasses (under a specific size) a small glasses supplement (SGS) may be issued.
Repair or replacement
Repairs and replacements paid for by the GOS or HES are not authorised where there is an after sale service, warranty or insurance cover for spectacles which provides full reimbursement.
Repair or replacement for patients under 16
Children under 16 who have had their glasses prescribed by the
HES may apply for repair/replacement voucher (GOS4) from any GOS practice. If glasses are beyond repair, then a replacement pair can be claimed using this voucher. GOS4 can only be used to repair or replace current spectacles and not older pairs and there is no limit on frequency. The ICB however, will need to be contacted for approval if frequent pairs are being made.
Repair or replacement for patients 16 and over
Patients aged 16 and over will only be eligible for repair and replacements when the loss or breakage can be proven to be due to a medical condition.
