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.