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UCL recognises its duty to comply with the Health & Safety regulations, which includes provision for eye tests and spectacles required specifically for use with Display Screen Equipment (DSE).
“‘There is no reliable evidence that work with display screen equipment causes any permanent damage to eyes or eyesight, but it may make users with pre-existing vision defects more aware of them. This may give some users some temporary visual fatigue or headaches. Uncorrected vision defects can make work at display screens more tiring or stressful than it should be, and correcting defects can improve comfort, job satisfaction and performance’. (Health and Safety Executive1 ).
Please see Safety Services for Information on other aspects of working safely with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) / Visual Display Unit (VDU), such as workstation (DSE) assessment and DSE Guidance for Managers.
Who is eligible
Staff identified as users, as defined by the Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (amended 2002), are entitled to free eye tests on request at their employer’s expense. A user is defined in the regulations as “an employee who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work”. It is the departmental manager’s responsibility to identify users within their department and inform them of this Policy.
How the service works
UCL’s DSE / VDU eyesight testing scheme is administered by Specsavers. The arrangement UCL has fully meets all the requirements of the DSE Regulations. Therefore, staff must use this scheme if they want UCL to fund their work-related DSE eyesight test and corrective spectacles required specifically for use with DSE / VDU.
- Firstly you will need to apply for your Corporate Eycare eVoucher with Specsavers by completing their online form.
- When you have received your Corporate Eycare eVoucher all you need to do is book your eye examination with your chosen Specsavers optician. You can find your nearest store by visiting the website at www.specsavers.co.uk and there is the option to book your appointment online. With over 1000 Specsavers opticians it is easy to find a location close to your home or work.
- When you go for your eye examination you simply need to present the voucher to the store staff at the beginning of the process or show them the voucher on your smart device.
Entitlements with the Corporate Eycare eVoucher
The voucher entitles you to a full eye examination at any Specsavers store.
If you are found to require glasses solely and specifically for DSE / VDU use you will then be entitled to a pair of single vision glasses from the £50 range, fitted with CR39 (optical plastic) single-vision lenses plus scratch-resistant treatment, as standard. If you wish, you can upgrade to a higher price range and use the voucher as a £50 contribution towards a pair of glasses.
Any employee requiring glasses whether for DSE / VDU use, or for any other reason, is entitled to use the Premium Club element of the voucher. This entitles you to £20 off a pair of glasses if chosen from the £100 range or above in store. This discount applies to most in-store offers, such as the 2 for 1 offer, but it cannot be used in conjunction with over 60’s discount, the student discount, the sale, contact lenses or easycare.
Please note:
- Eyecare plan has no monetary value. It allows you a free sight test and single vision lenses solely and specifically for DSE / VDU use at no charge, in a range of free frames.
- It is not always the case that just because you wear spectacles when operating the DSE / VDU your employer should pay for them.
Importance of eye examinations
An eye examination is a vital health check for your eyes because it can pick up early signs of eye conditions before you are even aware of any symptoms. And it is not just eyes, other health issues can be identified during an eye examination including: diabetes, high cholesterol, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.