Having an eye examination at home

If you live in Scotland, all eye examinations are free, including home examinations. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, an eye examination at home is free if you are eligible for a free NHS eye test. If you are not eligible for a free NHS test, the optometrist providing the service will tell you what the cost will be.

If you have new symptoms, you should not wait until your eye test is due but have your eyes examined sooner. It’s important to tell the optometrist about your symptoms when you book your appointment. This is because some sudden changes in your vision cannot wait, and you may be directed to emergency eye care instead.

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and you normally have free NHS eye examinations at home, you might have to pay for your eye test if you’re being seen earlier than was recommended at your previous examination. However, the optometrist can see you earlier on the NHS before your next test is due if you or your doctor is concerned about:

• a change in your vision
• you having new visual symptoms.

You must tell them when booking the appointment of the reason for another test, so you can check whether to expect a fee.

If your vision has changed, don't put off an eye examination because it’s not due yet, as it's important to discuss any concerns with your optometrist so that you get the care you need.

You can arrange for an optometrist to visit your home to carry out, as far as possible, a full eye examination. We recommend that you call the optometrist that you usually see and ask if they offer home visits. Not all optometrists offer home visits, and if yours doesn’t, you can ask them to recommend another practice that does. If you are not happy with the alternative option offered, you could ask friends and family or your GP for any recommendations.

Alternatively, depending on where you live, you can contact:

• NHS England on 0300 311 2233 or email [email protected]
• Wales Eye Care Services
• NHS Inform Scotland
• Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
• https://online.hscni.net/hsc-service-finder/

In some areas you can also find these details from libraries, Citizen's Advice bureaux and GP surgeries, or you can search on the websites above.

There are a number of private companies that provide eye examinations at your home, and you should be able to find their details from the sources listed above.

Our free guide can also help you understand how eye-care services work and who can sort out any difficulties you might have accessing the services you need.

Click here to order your free copy through our online shop

If you're aged 60 or over, you qualify for a free NHS eye examination across the whole of the UK, and you will not have to pay for your eye test at home. If you're under 60, you may still be entitled to a free eye test, but this depends on your circumstances. In Scotland, eye examinations are free for everyone.

The optometrist will be able to explain exactly what you are entitled to when you phone to arrange your appointment.

An eye examination at home should include most of the tests that you would expect if you had gone to the optometrist's practice. The examination at home still checks:

• if you would benefit from wearing glasses or contact lenses
• the health of your eyes
• for signs of other health problems

However, because the test is being done in your home, there may be slight changes in the way that the optometrist performs the test. A full eye examination will take longer in your own home due to the need to set up equipment.

Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to have to hand your current glasses, a list of your medicines, any hospital or optometrist letters and proof of the benefits you receive.

During your eye examination you can expect the optometrist to ask a lot of questions about your general health, lifestyle, the quality of your vision and any glasses you wear. This is called "taking a history". These questions and the answers you give are very important as they help provide the optometrist with background information on your eye health. This can help to identify any possible problems.

The examination will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes and should include the following (the order may vary):

• A test of your level of eyesight - you'll be asked to read letters on a chart or to match symbols.
• Checks of the outside of your eye to confirm it is healthy.
• A check that your eyes react to light as they should.
• Checks of the health inside the eye - a light will be shone into your eye, and you'll be asked to look in different directions.
• A test to confirm that the muscles that control eye movements are working well.
• Tests to work out if you need to wear glasses and what prescription is needed.
• Depending on your age, medical and family history and symptoms you may be having, you may also have:
• a basic field of vision test - to test your side (peripheral) vision
• an eye pressure test - there are several tests for this, but the most common one involves puffs of air blown at the front of each eye. It doesn't hurt but will probably make you jump.

Your optometrist will discuss with you the results of your eye test and the health of your eyes. You may want to write down brief details of these results to keep. You'll then be given either a prescription for new glasses or a statement saying that new glasses aren't required.

If the optometrists think there is any reason for you to be seen at the hospital because of an eye condition, they will arrange for you to be referred to the right ophthalmologist (hospital eye doctor) for your condition.

Waiting for a hospital eye appointment can be a difficult time, and we’re here to help and support you at every step. You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected] for further advice and information that may be helpful while you are waiting.

We also have a guide to waiting for an eye appointment which you might find helpful:

Download our Waiting to see an eye specialist guide (English)

Download our Waiting to see an eye specialist guide (Welsh)

If you need to change your glasses

Your optometrist will bring a selection of new frames, in a range of styles and prices, for you to try on. If you don't find a style that you like or that suits your budget, don't be afraid to ask if you can see some more. If you have old frames that you'd like to re-use, again ask the optometrist to inspect them to see if they're still suitable. Always ask for a statement of the exact cost of the frames and lenses before agreeing to go ahead with the order. You may be entitled to help with the cost of NHS glasses so remember to ask the optometrist about this.

When your spectacles are ready, the optometrist will contact you again to arrange delivery. The person who delivers your glasses should make sure they fit you comfortably.

Always keep a record of the optometrist's name and phone number in case you need to contact them again.

When you arrange an appointment to see an optometrist, please ensure you find out their name and ask for identification before you let them into your home. You may find it helpful if you have a relative, friend or carer with you when the optometrist comes to visit. It's important to give the optometrist as much notice as possible if you must rearrange the appointment.

If you have any problems with your eyes or glasses following your eye examination, contact the optometrist and let them know. For example, if you find that your new spectacles are not working well for you, the optometrist can check what the problem might be and help to find a solution. It is not unusual to take a week or two to get used to a new glasses prescription, but it is advisable to discuss this with the optometrist so that if necessary, they can check the prescription and make sure your new glasses fit you correctly. Most problems can be resolved quickly and easily.