Asda Opticians Eye Test Cost in 2026: £24
Asda Opticians runs a single £24 comprehensive eye test, the cheapest of the big UK high-street chains. The sight test is free if you qualify for NHS funding, and free for everyone under 16. The trade-off is a smaller network, roughly 150 opticians inside Asda supermarkets.
How much is an eye test at Asda Opticians? A comprehensive private eye test costs £24 (typically £20-£24, store-varies). That undercuts Specsavers (£25), Vision Express (£30) and Boots (from £29.95). NHS-eligible patients and under-16s pay nothing.
Asda Opticians Eye Test Pricing (2026)
| Service | 2026 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive eye test (standard private adult test) | £24 | Store-varies £20-£24; cheapest high-street chain |
| Eye test for under-16s | Free | NHS-funded; selected children's frames also free |
| NHS-funded sight test | Free | If you qualify; Asda bills the NHS |
| 3D retinal imaging (selected stores) | Not published | Availability and fee vary; confirm with your store |
| Scotland (all residents) | Free | NHS sight test free for everyone |
Prices verified against Asda Opticians' own published guidance, August 2026. Branches are individually run; confirm pricing and 3D imaging availability with your local store before booking.
Private vs NHS-Funded
A single comprehensive test carried out by a qualified optometrist. The cheapest standard test on the high street where a branch is available.
If you qualify, the sight test costs nothing; Asda bills the NHS. Everyone under 16 is covered, and in Scotland every resident qualifies.
Not sure which applies to you? Check the full eligibility list in the NHS free eye test guide. Most people under 16, over 60, on qualifying benefits, or with diabetes or glaucoma qualify.
What the £24 Test Includes
Asda Opticians runs a full comprehensive sight test rather than a stripped-back budget check. It is carried out by a qualified optometrist and covers the same clinical basics you would get at a pricier chain:
- Sight test: visual acuity and refraction to set your glasses or contact-lens prescription
- Eye health check: examination of the front and back of the eye for signs of disease
- Eye pressure and screening checks as clinically appropriate
- 3D retinal imaging: available at selected stores to help spot serious conditions earlier
- A written prescription you can take to any optician
Asda does not bundle an OCT scan into every test the way Vision Express does. If early-detection retinal imaging matters to you, see the OCT scan cost guide and compare against a chain that always offers it.
Asda vs Other UK Chains
| Chain | Standard private test | With OCT |
|---|---|---|
| Asda Opticians | £24 | Selected stores |
| Specsavers | £25 | ~£35 (+£10) |
| Vision Express | £30 (OCT incl.) | Included |
| Boots Opticians | from £29.95 | from £54.95 (Advanced) |
See the full UK eye test cost comparison for home-visit pricing and store counts across every chain.
Is the Cheapest Test the Right Test?
- On a tight budget and paying privately
- Under 40 with no eye-health risk factors
- Already have an Asda supermarket with an opticians nearby
- Just need an up-to-date glasses prescription
- 40 or older, or have a family history of glaucoma
- Diabetic or otherwise at higher eye-health risk
- Want an OCT scan bundled as standard (Vision Express)
- Do not have an Asda Opticians within reach
FAQ
How much does an eye test cost at Asda Opticians in 2026?
A comprehensive private eye test at Asda Opticians costs £24, which makes it the cheapest of the big UK high-street chains. Because Asda Opticians branches are individually run, the fee can vary slightly by store, typically between £20 and £24. If you qualify for an NHS-funded sight test the appointment is free, as Asda bills the NHS directly, and eye tests are free for everyone under 16.
Does the Asda eye test include an OCT or retinal scan?
At selected Asda Opticians stores the optometrist can photograph the back of the eye, or take a 3D image that can help spot serious eye conditions earlier. This is not offered at every branch and Asda does not publish a separate price for it, so confirm availability and any add-on fee with your local store when booking. Chains that always bundle or offer an OCT scan include Vision Express (included in its £30 Advanced Eye Test) and Specsavers (about £10 extra).
Is the Asda eye test free on the NHS?
Yes, if you qualify for NHS-funded care the sight test itself is free at Asda Opticians, which bills the NHS directly. Eligible groups include everyone under 16, those aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, adults aged 60 and over, people diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, anyone aged 40 or over with a family history of glaucoma, and people receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit (Guarantee). In Scotland the NHS sight test is free for all residents.
Is Asda Opticians cheaper than Specsavers or Boots?
Yes. On the standard private test Asda (£24) undercuts Specsavers (£25), Vision Express (£30 Advanced Eye Test with OCT), and Boots Opticians (Essential Eye Test from £29.95). Asda is consistently the cheapest high-street option where a branch is available. The trade-off is a smaller store network (roughly 150 opticians inside Asda supermarkets) and no bundled OCT scan as standard. For an NHS-eligible patient the sight test is free at all of them.
Where can I find an Asda Opticians?
Asda Opticians branches are located inside larger Asda supermarkets, with roughly 150 stores across the UK, so coverage is thinner than Specsavers or Boots. Use the store finder on opticians.asda.com to check whether your nearest Asda has an opticians and to book an appointment. If there is no Asda Opticians nearby, Specsavers (£25) is usually the next-cheapest widely available option.
Sources
- Asda Opticians - Eye Tests
- Asda Opticians - Store Finder
- NHS - Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers
Prices verified against Asda Opticians' own published guidance, August 2026. Fees and 3D imaging availability vary by store; confirm with your local branch before booking.