👓 Can I Claim VDU Glasses as a Business Expense?

If you or your team spend long hours in front of a screen, you’ve probably heard of VDU (Visual Display Unit) glasses — specialist eyewear designed to reduce eye strain from computer use. But the big question is:

Can you claim VDU glasses through your business and reduce your tax bill?

Let’s break it down 👇

✅ What You Can Claim

Under HMRC guidelines, there are a couple of situations where your company can cover the costs of eye care:

1. Eye Tests

If your work involves regular use of a screen, you are entitled to an eye test paid for by your employer. This applies whether you’re a director or an employee.

👉 Allowable expense – eye tests for screen users are fully tax-deductible for the business.

2. VDU Glasses (in specific cases)

If your optician says you need specialist glasses for screen use only (and not general or all-day use), your company can pay for them.

👉 Allowable expense – if the glasses are prescribed exclusively for screen work.

🚫 What You Can’t Claim

Glasses that correct general vision issues like short- or long-sightedness?
❌ Not allowable – HMRC sees these as a personal benefit.

Even if you wear them mostly at work, if they’re for everyday use, you can’t run them through the business without a benefit-in-kind tax charge.

🧾 How to Claim Them Properly

✔ Keep a copy of the optician’s report showing they are specifically for screen use
✔ Pay for them directly from the business (not as a personal reimbursement if possible)
✔ Record them clearly in your accounts as VDU-related equipment

💬 Final Tip

Always remember — HMRC is fine with you claiming legitimate business-related expenses, but it’s all about justifying the purpose. If you’re not sure whether something qualifies, it’s always safer to ask.

Need help knowing what your business can and can’t claim?

📞 Call us on 0161 710 1901
📧 Email: Tax@TaxesDoneRight.co.uk
🌐 www.taxesdoneright.co.uk

Let’s keep your taxes clean and your screen-time stress-free! 😎