As a fellow (type 2) diabetic I agree about the free eye tests both as an over 60 and a diabetic; however as I am still working I contribute to HealthShield through work where I can claim up to £100 per year for glasses. Having said that I have not needed new glasses for around four years now and when I did I found that I could get two pairs for £99 at my local optician. I do beleive that similar deals are out there in the market place, and of course there is SpecSavers.