HEALTH Know your entitlements – optical benefits

What are my eye-care entitlements?


Áine Higgins

Everyone regardless of their age should have their eyes tested every two years (or sooner if advised by your optometrist or GP). In Ireland we have two optical benefit systems – the Medical Card system and the PRSI system – that can contribute every two years towards your eye test and optical needs.

Medical Card Optical Benefit
This benefit is provided by most local opticians who have a contract with the HSE. All opticians will have the application form in their practice or you can request a form from the Health Board in Castlebar, who can also give you a list of the qualified opticians in your area. 
There is no need to be daunted by filling out the form, just bring your medical card along to your local optician and they will help you fill it out and answer any concerns you may have.
Filling out the form is quite simple the process involves filling a form using details from your medical card and on receiving authorisation an eye appointment can be arranged. It should take no longer than four weeks to receive your authorisation. You are entitled to claim on the medical card every 2 years.

Entitlements
1  A free sight test. (Tests for VDUs, driving licences, safety glasses and so on are not covered, however.)
2  An eye examination for contact lenses - a fixed amount can be claimed towards this assessment with any excess born by the medical card holder.
3  Medical Card holders are entitled to a pair of reading and distance lenses to a certain range of spectacles free of charge (or one pair of bifocals). If you choose a more-expensive option, then this allowance can be set against the bill.

PRSI Optical Benefit
This benefit is provided by most local opticians who have a contract with the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The authorisation procedure is really straightforward, as it is automated online. Most
PRSI claims are authorised in 24 hours. Just call into your local optician with your PPS number and they will do the rest for you.

Entitlements
1  A free sight test. (Tests for VDUs, driving licences, safety glasses and so on are not covered.)
2  Since Budget 2009, free glasses are no longer provided.
People receiving the following benefits are eligible for PRSI cover:

1  Invalidity Pension
2  Retirement Pension/Old Age Contributory Pension
3  Disability Benefit (for 12 months or more)
4  Unemployment Benefit
5  Contributory Widows pension

In these times, when everyone is feeling a little strapped for cash, it is important to be aware of your optical-benefit entitlements, as they can save you money.
Medical card benefits in particular are often undervalued often because elderly patients are worried about filling out the forms.
Remember that your local optician will be only too happy to help you with any form filling.
Your sight is one of the most precious senses – take care of it.

Aine Higgins is an optician based in Mongey’s Opticians, Castlebar and Ballinrobe. She was the first Irish optician to be nominated for the UK and Ireland Optician of the Year 2010.