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Display Screen Users Eye Sight Testing

Departments should make arrangements for eye and eyesight testing for employees who are users of display screen equipment with an optician from the list below. 

Any employee who is a user of display screen equipment is entitled, on request, to receive an eye and eyesight test as defined in the Optical Act 1989. Employees are expected to bring this request to the attention of their department (usually the administrator) before any arrangements for testing is put in place.

The optician determines the frequency of repeat eye and eyesight testing for users.  This is usually every two years, but it can vary for individual patients. The department must also meet costs of repeat testing.

Arrangements have been made with the following four opticians in Oxford who can provide the appropriate testing and they will invoice the department on receipt of a departmental order or letter on headed notepaper authorising the testing. If employees wish to seek re-imbursement from the University for the test and any corrective lenses recommended they are not free to choose an optician other than the four nominated below.

(Details correct as of 25 October 2012)

Where the optician recommends an employee be provided with eyesight correction specifically for their work with DSE, the law requires that the University meet reasonable costs. This is met from departmental funds. A reasonable contribution is now regarded as up to £75 and this contribution will be kept under review. There is no requirement on the University to contribute where ‘normal’ glasses, provided for reading, watching TV, or driving, are adequate for DSE use. 

A contribution is required if the following statement is ticked on an optician’s report:

-  Spectacles are required solely for VDU use

A contribution might be required if the following statement is ticked on an optician’s report: 

-  Spectacles are required for general use, incorporating a special prescription for VDU use

This statement refers to multi-focal prescriptions.  The use of bifocal or varifocal glasses can sometimes introduce other problems, as a person might make repeated adjustments to their head/neck position or adopt awkward positions in order to look through the appropriate part of the lens.  The department should therefore consult the Safety Office whenever this statement is ticked.  The Safety Office will liaise, as necessary, with the relevant optician and individual, in order to help them decide on an appropriate solution specific to their work with DSE.

Any other questions or queries should be directed to the Safety Office.

Purchase orders for display screen equipment eyesight tests at the approved opticians (above) should be raised by the departmental administrator or equivalent. The cost of the eyesight test is met from departmental funds.

Employees are not entitled to see an ophthalmic practitioner of their choosing for these tests.

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