The Guardian amends eyewear guide after failing to note free eye tests in Scotland

The Guardian has issued a correction to its consumer advice coverage after a guide to buying glasses neglected to mention that eye tests are free in Scotland.

The article, published on August 30 under the headline Is spending more better for your eyes?, compared the costs of spectacles, frames and enhanced eye exams across the UK. It provided guidance on NHS vouchers, employer subsidies and online savings but omitted the detail that all residents of Scotland are entitled to free eye tests. That fact was added in an amendment published on September 4.

On the surface, this may appear to be a minor oversight, but for readers in Scotland the difference between a £30 eye test and one that is provided without charge is hardly negligible. Consumer guides are meant to empower people to make informed financial decisions, particularly at a time when the cost of living continues to squeeze households across the UK. By overlooking such a basic entitlement, the original article risked misleading readers into thinking they faced costs they do not in fact incur.

This is not the first time a consumer-facing piece has been tripped up by regional policy differences within the UK. Devolved arrangements often create disparities in healthcare, education and public services. Yet failure to spell these out undermines trust in guidance that is positioned as comprehensive and impartial.

The Guardian’s prompt correction brings its advice into line with reality. But the episode is a reminder of how even small factual errors in lifestyle and consumer reporting can carry consequences. For a Scottish reader wondering whether to book an eye test, the original version of the article presented an unnecessary financial barrier. Once again, the pattern is familiar: the correction exists, but the initial misstep will have reached a wider audience than its subsequent amendment.