Corporate Eye Care


In 1992 the government introduced new Health and Safety regulations regarding display screen equipment, intended to improve conditions for all employees who require safety glasses or who work with VDUs (Visual Display Units – computer or television monitors). This was a wise move – it does not take an optician to realise that staring into a light source for six hours a day is probably not that good for the eyes.

The full regulations are quite extensive and the key points include:

  • Employers must provide eye tests, carried out by a qualified optician, when they are requested by employees who use VDUs.
  • Staff are at liberty to claim these eye tests at any time if they have experienced headaches or feel their eyes have been strained or damaged as a result of working at a VDU.
  • It is the employer’s right to appoint a specific optician to carry out the tests.
  • Eye tests must include a full examination of the eye health, not just ability to see.
  • If ailments are discovered, the employee is referred to an NHS practitioner for further help.
  • For new staff, eyes must be tested before work commences.
  • After the initial consultation, the frequency of the eye exams is at the optometrist’s discretion.
  • Companies are required to pay for single vision spectacles to view a screen at the appropriate distance.

Many employers find it both cost-effective and time-efficient to set up a corporate arrangement with a service provider. This is in essence a corporate eye care plan. The agreement can be with a national chain of opticians, a single local practitioner, or a varying network of affiliated opticians. Voucher schemes are often used as they are arguably the easiest way to provide employees with eyewear and eye-tests.

Corporate Eye care Voucher Schemes

Vouchers and other centralised services can be brought either through third-party network co-ordinators or the Corporate Eyecare Departments of many major chain opticians. Different opticians’ or providers’ voucher schemes will work in slightly different ways – the following paragraph gives an idea of a common structure:

The employer must deduce how many eye care vouchers their organisation needs and make a payment (single or regular). Vouchers can usually be ordered online or over the phone. Each eligible employee is given an ‘eye examination voucher’. This voucher pays for a full eye exam. If in this eye exam it is found that the employee needs glasses specifically for VDU work, the employer is legally obliged to provide them with a ‘spectacles voucher,’ which pays for the glasses.

Benefits of Eye Care Plans for Employees

The major benefits for employees are that they get free eye tests. While it is recommended by the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind people) that everyone should have an eye test at least every two years, many people fail to do so. Eye examinations check not only eyesight but also eye health. Though the employer is only required to pay for eyeglasses especially for monitor work, other problems can be discovered through the tests which enables employees to purchase the necessary glasses or contact lenses.  This can have beneficial long term effects on eye health.

Benefits of Eye Care plans for Employers

The primary benefit for employers is that corporate eye care plans – particularly vouchers – are an easy, efficient and low cost way to abide to health and safety standards. The costs may amount to approximately £17 per employee every two years, assuming that VDU specific glasses are not required.

Though employee eye care is required by law, it can also be turned to the employers’ advantage. Voluntarily giving spectacle vouchers above the minimum denomination, or including an eye examination voucher in an employee’s welcome pack can identify a business as a progressive and caring organisation, promoting worker satisfaction and loyalty. Research has also shown that 1.5 million workers have taken time off for eye related illnesses – corporate eye care plans can help reduce this, increasing productivity.

Eye Care Plan Providers

Only major chains have been listed below, though independent opticians and smaller chains (for example TONI&GUY Opticians) also run schemes:

  • Specsavers
  • Boots Opticians
  • Vision Express
  • Optical Express
  • Dollond & Aitchison
  • TESCO Opticians

Some companies offer vouchers, which can be redeemed at a number of independent and chain opticians. For example, the Accor vouchers are accepted by 96% of the UK’s opticians.

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