Optical Charges and Payments Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Regulation 1(2), 19(2)(b)

SCHEDULE 2 Prisms, Tints, Photochromic Lenses, Small and Special Glasses and Complex Appliances

1.—(1) The amounts in column 3 of Schedule 1 and column 2 of Schedule 3 and in paragraph 2(a) and (b) shall be increased as follows:—

(a) by £5·30 in respect of each single vision lens containing a necessary prism;

(b) by £6·50 in respect of each other lens containing a necessary prism;

(c) by £2·80 in respect of each necessary single vision tinted lens;

(d) by £3·30 in respect of each necessary other tinted lens;

(e) in respect of small glasses—

(i) by £44·80 in the case of supply or replacement of the glasses or repair or replacement of the whole frame,

(ii) by £39·80 in the case of repair or replacement of the front of the frame, and

(iii) by £21·50 in the case of repair or replacement of a side of a frame;

(f) where the voucher is issued or completed by an HSS trust, by £2·80 in respect of each necessary single vision photochromic lens and by £3·30 in respect of each necessary other photochromic lens;

(g) where the voucher is issued or completed by an HSS trust, by £44·80 in respect of glasses the frame of which is certified by the HSS trust as being required to be specially manufactured on account of the patient’s facial characteristics.

(2) The increases provided for by sub-paragraph (1)(e), (f) and (g) do not apply in the case of a voucher relating to glasses if it is accepted in connection with the supply or replacement of contact lenses.

(3) In sub-paragraph (1) “necessary” in relation to a prism or a tinted or photochromic lens means that the prism, tint or photochromic quality has been prescribed on the basis of clinical need.

(4) Where the face value of a voucher is increased in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(g) of this paragraph, it may not be further increased in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(e).

2.  The minimum complex appliance payment is—

(a) for a complex appliance with single vision lenses only, £4·50;

(b) for any other complex appliance, £24·10;

plus, in each case, the amount of any increase provided for by paragraph (1).