Spectacles Subsidy
Some children may receive some help towards the cost of glasses. If your child has a vision problem, there is a Spectacles Subsidy which can help with the costs of your child's:
The subsidy is available for:
For more information about this subsidy:
Vision screening in NZ for under tens:
In New Zealand schools and pre-schools we have a vision screening programme. This is conducted by specialists that enter into schools and screen children for vision problems. When a child fails a screening, a letter is sent home with a recommendation to see an optometrist or eye specialist.
The vision screening program in New Zealand is effective at picking up children that can’t see at distance. Children with vision related learning problems can have trouble focusing at near. Though these children may possess clear distance vision; they are not currently detected with routine vision screening. It is the optometrists role to identify vision conditions that require either triaging or treatment.
Some children may receive some help towards the cost of glasses. If your child has a vision problem, there is a Spectacles Subsidy which can help with the costs of your child's:
- eye (vision) test
- glasses (frames and lenses or repairs) or eye patches
The subsidy is available for:
- any of your children, aged 15 or under, but only if you or your child has a current Community Services Card or a High Use Health Card
For more information about this subsidy:
- Subsidy for glasses and vision tests (Spectacles Subsidy) In addition to the English version, this pamphlet is also available in Māori, Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Hindi and Korean.
Vision screening in NZ for under tens:
In New Zealand schools and pre-schools we have a vision screening programme. This is conducted by specialists that enter into schools and screen children for vision problems. When a child fails a screening, a letter is sent home with a recommendation to see an optometrist or eye specialist.
The vision screening program in New Zealand is effective at picking up children that can’t see at distance. Children with vision related learning problems can have trouble focusing at near. Though these children may possess clear distance vision; they are not currently detected with routine vision screening. It is the optometrists role to identify vision conditions that require either triaging or treatment.
