The HSE guidance is clear that should a DSE USER request an eye-test, a full eye test must be offered, not a screening test:- Q4. I am entitled to an eye test as I work on DSE - how do I get one? And does my employer have to pay for DSE spectacles? Answer: You are entitled to ask your employer to provide an eye test if you are an employee who habitually uses DSE as a significant part of your normal work. This is a full eye and eyesight test by an optometrist (or a doctor). Your employer should arrange for your test and should tell you how to apply. Your employer will only have to pay for spectacles if the test shows you need special spectacles (e.g. ones prescribed for the distance the screen is viewed at). If your ordinary prescription is suitable for your DSE work the employer does not have to pay for your spectacles. http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/faqs.htm

I'm fully aware of the regs and all DSE users are offered an eyesight test. If they request a test they get one however the majority don't want a full test. The cost effectiveness will be calculated once we have a price for a system. With several hundred DSE users it may pay for itself quite quickly.

Must agree with Phil on this one. I haven't heard of anyone getting compensation because of lack of eye tests so find it hard to see how having a test programme will save money even in the very long term. There is a legal duty to provide eye tests for use of DSE equipment but there are some very economically useful companies who undertake such tests and you simply need to find one and get a quote or two, but don't simply go for the cheapest as they can provide some costly results.

John No problems. I have tried all sorts of ideas in the DSE eye tests department over nearly 20 years. Local optician - ok when we had few DSE users in the 'early' days but subsequently a relatively expensive option, especially when users were becoming more and more numerous. Voucher scheme that allowed voucher to be used at various opticians participating in the scheme. Worked ok for a good while but increasingly various opticians were interpreting the scheme in a different way to how it was supposed to be interpreted and I had to keep going back to the account holder to get the problems sorted out. Eventually bailed out of the scheme because of the additional hassle. Reasonable (ish) cost and reasonable admin until the problems kept occurring. Domiciliary scheme - where an optician came to us (sounds similar to your scheme). Seemed like a god idea at the time and the optician was fab but it was HEAVY on the administration, and we had 'no shows' that increased the cost and hassle. Screening first then eye test if requested - again, it seemed like a good idea at the time but I soon realised that the screening became an additional cost as staff almost invariably wanted a full eye test. High street optician voucher scheme. Have now been using this for some years. Excellent VFM. £17 for test AND single vision VDU bins if needed. Very low admin cost. Very little hassle factor. Staff are generally very happy with the scheme, with VERY few complaints. I can't recall the last one to be honest. My ramblings for what they're worth.

Larry, the short answer is yes they do. The requirement for providing an eye test for a DSE user is not dependant on whether or not they already wear glasses or not.

Larry, this might be a daft question but you are talking about a DSE user? Phil/teh-boy Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at an option with a manufacturer which allows users to select their local optician rather than be limited to a high street chain.

For a normal glasses wearer who is a DSE user from above they are entitled to ask the company to pay for their eye test, but not for glasses as they need them all the time not just for DSE. If the company provides this via a health care benefit would this cover this requirement to pay for the eye test? Even if a voucher scheme is in operation for non standard glasses wearers and for purchasing safety glasses?