Answers & Guides
Plain-English Answers About Home Eye Tests
Every answer below is written and clinically reviewed by a GOC-registered optometrist. If you can't see your question here, please call us on 0800 654 6934.
Who qualifies for a free NHS home eye test?
The full eligibility list — physical, mental, and care-home criteria — explained in plain English.
How much does a home eye test cost in the UK?
What the NHS pays for, what's never charged, and what a private home visit costs if you're not eligible.
What happens during a home eye test?
Every step of the visit, from the first knock at the door to the optometrist leaving — usually around 45 minutes.
Home eye test vs going to Specsavers — what's the difference?
Clinical scope, NHS funding, comfort, choice of frames, and waiting times compared side by side.
Can someone with dementia have an eye test at home?
Yes — and a home visit is usually far calmer than a high-street practice. How we adapt the test.
How often should an elderly person have an eye test?
NHS-recommended intervals for over-60s, over-70s, and patients with diabetes or glaucoma.
Signs your elderly parent needs an eye test
Eight everyday warning signs — bumping into furniture, missing steps, holding things closer — and what they may mean.
Can opticians visit care homes? (NHS rules explained)
How NHS-funded domiciliary visits to care homes work, and what care managers need to arrange one.