Eye test advice

Businesses facing the prospect of
eyesight test charges should consider
offsetting occupational health costs
with cash plan provision according
to healthcare and risk management
specialist PMI Health Group.

The advice comes in the wake of
an EU directive making regular eye
tests mandatory for employees who
drive while on company business.

“The responsibility to provide
access to regular sight tests is likely
to fall to the employer,” according to
PMI Health group compliance
director Mike Blake. “This presents
an opportunity to introduce an
employee benefit to cover this cost
and other healthcare risks faced by
drivers such as back problems.”
Cash plans, which can cost from as
little as 60p per employee per week,
offer a wide range of benefits including
physiotherapy and optical provisions to
cover the additional cost of eye tests
ushered in by the new legislation.