The Welsh General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS) framework ensures that people in Wales can access safe, high‑quality, NHS‑funded eye care in the community. As an accredited practice, we provide the full range of WGOS services from routine examinations to enhanced clinical care and referral pathways.

 

WGOS 1 – Routine NHS Eye Examinations

WGOS 1 covers standard NHS sight tests for eligible patients. These examinations include:

• Vision testing and prescription updates

• Eye health checks for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and other conditions

• Monitoring for patients at higher risk of eye disease

• Referral to hospital eye services when required

This service ensures early detection of eye conditions and supports long‑term eye health, as well as the inclusion of ‘prevention and wellbeing provision’ as part of a Patient Management Plan.

Who Is Eligible for an NHS Sight Test (WGOS1)?

You may be entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:

• Are under 16

• Are 16–18 and in full‑time education

• Are aged 60 or over

• Have diabetes

• Have glaucoma

• Are at risk of glaucoma (as advised by an ophthalmologist)

• Are aged 40+ with a close relative with glaucoma

• Are registered blind or partially sighted

• Receive certain benefits (e.g., Income Support, UC, ESA, JSA, Pension Credit Guarantee)

• Have a valid HC2/HC3 certificate

If you are unsure, we can check your eligibility for you.

 

NHS Optical Vouchers

You may be entitled to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you meet one of the criteria below. Voucher eligibility is separate from eligibility for a free NHS sight test.

• Are under 16

• Are 16–18 in full‑time education

• Receive certain benefits

• Have a valid HC2 certificate

• Require complex lenses

We will advise you on voucher eligibility during your appointment.

 

WGOS 2 – Including Examinations for Urgent Eye Problems

WGOS 2.1 – Urgent Eye Care

This examination is for patients who have eye problems of an acute nature. It can also be used to accept referrals from another healthcare provider.

WGOS 2.1 supports patients experiencing urgent or emergency eye symptoms.

This service ensures rapid access to clinical support when urgent symptoms arise.

WGOS 2.2 – Enhanced Eye Care Wales Services

This service provides enhanced clinical assessment for patients who need more detailed investigation following a WGOS Level 1(standard NHS Sight Test) or Private sight test. They can be used to further inform or prevent onward referral to the hospital eye service. This helps reduce unnecessary hospital visits by enabling trained optometrists to manage many issues safely in practice.

This includes screening for:

• Glaucoma

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Macular Degeneration

• Cataracts

WGOS 2.3 - Follow-up examinations

This examination enables a patient to be followed-up after they have had an initial appointment for a WGOS Level 2 Band 1 or for a post-operative cataract check.

 

WGOS 3 – Low Vision Assessment

WGOS 3 provides specialist support for patients who have sight loss that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or medical treatment.

It comprises of a low vision assessment for someone who reaches specific criteria for the service.

This assessment helps a patient make the best use of their remaining sight. When a patient first enters the service, they will receive an initial examination, they are then entitled to a follow up examination every year. A practitioner delivering this service must be low vision accredited.

As an accredited practice, we offer:

• Low Vision Assessments focusing on how sight loss affects daily activities.

• Advice on Visual Aids and recommendations for magnifiers, lighting, contrast tools, and other aids that help maximise remaining vision.

• Training and Practical Support Guidance on using low‑vision aids effectively, improving reading ability, and enhancing independence at home or work.

• CVI (Certification of Visual Impairment) Support Assessment and completion of CVI documentation where appropriate, enabling access to social care, rehabilitation services, and financial support.

WGOS 3 ensures that people with significant sight loss receive structured, ongoing support to maintain independence and quality of life.

 

WGOS 3 CVIW – Certificate of Visual Impairment Wales

WGOS 3 CVI provides certification for people with vision impairment as the pre-requisite to registration as either Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired.

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) 2014 Act requires local authorities to keep a register of people in their area who are sight-impaired, hearing impaired or both, which have a significant effect on their day to day lives.

Registration ensures access to services and support aimed at maintaining a person’s independence. This includes access to services offered by Habilitation Officers and Rehabilitation Officers for the Visually Impaired.

The CVIW also has additional functions. It helps track how often certifiable sight loss occurs, what causes it, and how common it is in Wales. The Department for Work and Pensions also accepts it as medical evidence of sight loss.

 

 

WGOS 4 – Follow‑Up and Monitoring Services

WGOS 4 helps reduce pressure on hospitals by allowing optometry practices to manage patients with higher-risk eye conditions.

WGOS 4 (Filtering)

Optometrists with qualifications in glaucoma and medical retina are able to review referrals and, where appropriate, manage patients in primary care.

WGOS 4 (Monitoring)

Optometrists with higher qualifications in medical retina and glaucoma are able to monitor suitable patients who might otherwise be cared for by Hospital Eye Services (HES). Patients may be discharged from HES, referred through WGOS 4 filtering, or referred by a hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prescriber.

 

WGOS 5 – Independent Prescribing

Independent Prescribing Practitioners with Independent prescribing qualifications are able to manage certain conditions in primary care following a referral from a WGOS practitioner.

Independent Prescribing Practitioners with a higher Glaucoma qualification are able to manage suitable patients with Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension in primary care. This usually follows from a referral from secondary care (Hospital Eye Care).

Referrals into this service are via a practitioner providing WGOS services or following a referral from a local eye department.

 

WGOS Mobile (Domiciliary) Services

We do not currently offer WGOS mobile services.

 

Why WGOS Matters

WGOS ensures that eye care in Wales is:

• Accessible

• Clinically safe

• Delivered by qualified optometrists

• Supported by NHS Wales pathways

• Focused on early detection, prevention and community‑based care