Specsavers Eye Test Cost in 2026: £25 Private, Free on the NHS
A standard private eye test at Specsavers costs £25 (it can vary £20-£25 because stores are independently owned). An OCT retinal scan adds up to £10, and the sight test is free if you qualify for NHS funding. Specsavers has over 900 UK stores, the largest optical footprint in the country.
How much is an eye test at Specsavers? A routine private eye test at Specsavers costs £25, or £20 to £25 depending on the store, according to Specsavers' own price FAQ read on 4 November 2026. An OCT scan is up to £10 on top in most stores, and the test is free if you qualify for an NHS-funded one.
| Service | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Standard private eye test (sight test) | £25 |
| OCT retinal scan add-on | +£10 |
| NHS-funded sight test | Free |
| Scotland (all residents) | Free |
| Contact-lens fitting / check | Varies |
| Home eye test (private) | £60 |
| Home visit (NHS-eligible) | Free |
Specsavers stores are independently owned, so the private fee can differ from store to store; Specsavers itself gives £20 to £25. The £10 eye test offer it ran in October ended on 31 October 2026.
Specsavers Eye Test Pricing (2026)
| Service | 2026 Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard private eye test (sight test) | £25 | Store-varies £20-£25; independently owned |
| OCT retinal scan add-on | +£10 | Up to £10 on top; Scotland may vary |
| NHS-funded sight test | Free | If you qualify; Specsavers bills the NHS |
| Scotland (all residents) | Free | NHS sight test free for everyone |
| Contact-lens fitting / check | Varies | Separate from sight test; free for easycare members |
| Home eye test (private) | £60 | Specsavers' published price for a test at home |
| Home visit (NHS-eligible) | Free | NHS-funded for patients who cannot leave home unaccompanied |
Specsavers stores are independently owned, so the exact fee varies by location. Confirm pricing with your local store before booking. Prices read from Specsavers' own price FAQ on 4 November 2026.
Private vs NHS-Funded
Standard sight test for anyone not eligible for NHS funding. An OCT scan is up to £10 on top. Fee can vary £20-£25 by store.
If you qualify, the sight test costs nothing; Specsavers bills the NHS directly. The OCT scan is still usually a paid add-on.
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.
Is the OCT Scan Worth £10 at Specsavers?
The OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan is a painless, non-invasive image that captures a 3D cross-section of the retina in about five minutes. It can reveal early signs of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy years before they would show up in a conventional examination. At up to £10 on top of the £25 sight test, it is one of the cheaper places to get an OCT scan on the high street.
- 40 or older
- Family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration
- Diabetic or at risk
- Highly myopic (over -6)
- Have not had an OCT scan before
- Under 40 with no risk factors
- Had an OCT scan in the last 2-3 years with no issues
- On a tight budget with a low-risk profile
Specsavers vs Other UK Chains
| Chain | Standard private test | With OCT |
|---|---|---|
| Asda Opticians | £20-£24 | Add-on varies |
| Specsavers | £25 | + up to £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.
FAQ
How much does an eye test cost at Specsavers in 2026?
A standard private eye test (sight test) at Specsavers costs £25. Because Specsavers stores are independently owned and run, the fee can vary by location, typically between £20 and £25. If you qualify for an NHS-funded sight test the appointment is free, as Specsavers bills the NHS directly. In Scotland every resident qualifies for a free NHS sight test regardless of age or income.
How much does an OCT scan cost at Specsavers?
In most Specsavers stores a hospital-grade OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan costs up to £10 in addition to the standard eye test cost (Specsavers' own wording, read 4 November 2026). Pricing in some Scottish stores may vary. The OCT scan captures a 3D cross-section of the retina and can flag early signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
How much is a Specsavers home eye test?
Specsavers prices an eye test at home at £60 on its own price FAQ (read 4 November 2026), describing it as very similar to the in-store test with equipment adapted for the home. If you qualify for an NHS-funded home visit, for example because you cannot leave home unaccompanied, the visit is free; Specsavers takes requests for one through its home visits service.
Is the Specsavers eye test free on the NHS?
Yes, if you qualify for NHS-funded care the sight test itself is free at Specsavers. Eligible groups include everyone under 16, those aged 16-18 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. An OCT scan is usually an optional paid add-on even when the sight test is NHS-funded.
How much is a contact lens check at Specsavers?
A contact lens check (the aftercare appointment that keeps your lens prescription valid) is separate from the standard sight test. It is included free for members of the Specsavers easycare contact-lens subscription; for non-members it is charged separately and the fee varies by store, so confirm with your local branch. A contact-lens fitting for first-time wearers is also charged on top of the sight test.
Does Specsavers do home eye tests?
Yes. Specsavers Home Visits brings the eye test to people who cannot leave home unaccompanied because of a physical or mental illness or disability. If you are eligible for an NHS-funded sight test (which includes most housebound people), the home visit is free. The service covers the same sight test you would receive in store, carried out with portable equipment.
Is Specsavers cheaper than Vision Express or Boots?
On the headline private fee, Specsavers (£25) undercuts both Vision Express (£30 Advanced Eye Test, which includes an OCT scan) and Boots Opticians (Essential Eye Test from £29.95). Asda Opticians is usually the cheapest high-street option at £20-£24. The picture changes once you add OCT: Specsavers at £25 plus about £10 for OCT lands around £35, similar to the Vision Express £30 test that already bundles the scan. For an NHS-eligible patient all three are free for the sight test itself.
Sources
- Specsavers - How much is an eye test?
- Specsavers - OCT scan explained
- Specsavers - NHS-funded eye tests
- NHS - Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers
Prices verified against Specsavers' own published guidance, September 2026. Store fees vary by location because Specsavers branches are independently owned; confirm with your local store before booking.