Have the option of carrying glasses either lentillas To see well, it will stop being something that we can barely afford. Many families will benefit from something that has already been approved by Congress and will mark a before and after. In this way, the Government He has given green light to a new benefit that will cover the cost of glasses and lenses for millions of people in Spain. This measure, which seeks to reduce inequality in access to visual health, has already been supported as we say, and will be Part of the Public Services portfolio of the National Health System.
If someone in your family, or yourself, carries glasses or lenses, you know the price they can have. Even when you choose a mount that is cheap or you find an offer of type 2×1, the price can exceed 200 euros for the glasses and more than 140 for some lenses. An expense that many families cannot assume, generating a situation already known as Visual poverty and that especially affects children and people with low income, limiting their academic, professional and social development. But since this year everything will change. With this new help, Spain joins other European countries that already finance optical products as part of its health system. The priority will be to guarantee free glasses for proportional minors and adult aid depending on their income level. Next, we explain how this measure will work, what steps you should continue to request it and when you can start benefiting.
Goodbye to pay for glasses and lenses: the government approves it
Visual health has been absent for too much time of health debate, despite its direct impact on the quality of life. According to official figures, In Spain there are more than 720,000 children with vision problems, and it is estimated that 30% of school failure is linked to visual alterations Not treated. In addition, children’s myopia progresses without brake: it affects 19% of children between 5 and 7 years old, and could reach 30% in 2030.
In this contextGovernment’s approval for goggling T Lantillas represents a fundamental advance. From its entry into force, All minors will have the right to receive completely free glasses or slows. In the case of adults, the aid will depend on the level of income, So those who have less resources will receive a higher percentage of financing. The ultimate goal is that no one stays without seeing well for not being able to pay it.
The measure, promoted from the Andalusian Parliament and unanimously supported in Congress, seeks to include this benefit in The Cohesion and Quality Law of the National Health System. Thus, it will become part of the basic services portfolio, at the same level as medicines or prostheses. The financing will be borne by the State, which must consign the necessary resources in the general budgets.
What exactly does this new help cover?
Although all the final details have not yet been published, it has been confirmed that coverage will include all the necessary products to treat or correct visual alterations. This It is not limited only to glasses and lenses, but also contemplates therapeutic lenses, Aid for low vision (such as magnifying or telelupas), and possibly surgical techniques such as refractive surgery.
Some guidance limits have been established depending on the type of product. For example, It is estimated that the refund for complete glasses will be up to 42 euros, while For progressive or bifocales you can reach 84. Lantillas could be covered up to an amount of 33 euros per unit, or with annual aid if it is disposable lenses. In the most serious cases, the inclusion of major aid, such as therapeutic lenses (62 euros per unit) or even surgery (up to 200 euros per eye) will also be assessed.
This integral approach is key to guarantee not only a correct vision, but also an attention adapted to each situation. The participation of health professionals will be essential To assess what type of optical solution each person needs, and economic aid will fit that diagnosis.
When does the measure come into force and how can it be requested?
Although the intention is to start applying it in 2025, there are still some administrative steps. Currently, the law is in the process of parliamentary process. After passing through Congress, where groups can propose amendments, It will pass to the Senate for final approval. Then it must be sanctioned by the King and published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), where the exact date on which it will enter into force will be indicated.
Once the procedure to request the aid will be opened once. Although details have not yet been made public, Everything indicates that it will be necessary to present a medical recipe issued by an ophthalmologist of the public health system, as well as documentation that proves the income level in the case of adults.
The Ministry of Health has insisted that the process will be as simple as possible. The idea is to avoid pharragous procedures and facilitate the most vulnerable people to access service without barriers. The application channel will probably be the electronic headquarters of the National Health System, and health points will be enabled for those who cannot manage it online.
With this initiative, Spain aligns with other European countries where visual health is part of public health. In France, for example, glasses can be reimbursed every two years, and in him The United Kingdom There are specific aid for minors, students and people with low income. Germany also finances these products for children and adults with severe visual problems.
