Scots missing out on free eye exams

An overwhelming majority of people in Scotland don't know they are entitled to a free eye test, independent research has found.

The study commissioned by Black & Lizars found that 66 per cent of the population were unaware that the NHS now covered the cost of eye examinations for everyone. The cost previously was about £25 per 15-20 minute examination.

Free eye examinations were introduced in Scotland on April 1 2006. The study concluded that with more than two-thirds of the country's population requiring some form of eye care, the Scottish Executive and optometrists still had a lot more work to do to promote this health drive to the public.