If you—or someone you care for—struggle to get to the high-street optician, you’re probably wondering: can I get an NHS eye test at home? Who’s eligible, is it really free, and is a home visit as good as a shop test? Good news: in Lancashire there are trusted domiciliary (home) opticians who deliver NHS-funded sight tests to people who can’t reasonably attend a clinic. This guide explains who qualifies, how to book, what to expect, and how home tests compare to high-street appointments — with practical checklists, myth-busting and clear next steps so you can book the right care, fast.
Quick headline facts (what the NHS and major opticians say)
- The NHS offers free sight tests for specified groups (e.g., under-16s, people aged 60+, people with diabetes or glaucoma, those receiving certain benefits).
- If you qualify for a free NHS sight test and cannot leave home unaccompanied because of a physical or mental illness/disability, you may be eligible for a free NHS home eye test (mobile/domiciliary service). Major providers such as Home Direct Eye Care and several local domiciliary services provide this.
- Sight loss is largely age-related: nearly 80% of people living with sight loss are aged 65+ and UK projections show the number of people with sight loss is rising, making access to home services increasingly important.
Why a home eye test exists — and why it matters
Eye health checks find problems early (glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract and refractive error). For older adults, housebound people and many care-home residents, the barrier isn’t willingness — it’s logistics. Home eye tests remove transport, mobility and anxiety barriers while delivering NHS-standard clinical checks. With sight-loss numbers rising, proactive domiciliary care reduces avoidable vision loss and preserves independence.
Who qualifies for a free NHS home eye test (eligibility checklist)
To be eligible for a free NHS home eye test, two things are usually required:
- You meet the NHS’s eligibility for a free NHS sight test (examples):
- under 16; 16–18 in full-time education; aged 60+; diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma; registered blind/partially sighted; entitled to certain benefits or NHS cost
- You are unable to attend an optician unaccompanied because of a physical or mental illness or disability that makes leaving home impractical. Many providers explicitly state this condition when arranging domiciliary visits.
Practical checklist to check eligibility now:
- Are you aged 60+ or under 16 (or 16–18 in full-time education)? ✔️
- Do you have diabetes, glaucoma, recent eye surgery, or a certificate for full help with health costs? ✔️
- Are you unable to leave home unaccompanied due to mobility or health issues? ✔️
If you answered yes to a NHS criterion and the mobility/health question, you’re likely eligible for a free NHS home visit. Ring a domiciliary provider or your local high-street optician who offers home visits to confirm.
How to book a free NHS home eye test — step-by-step
Use this stepwise approach so nothing slips through the cracks:
- Confirm clinical eligibility — check NHS eligibility online or ask your GP/optician.
- Choose a provider — large chains (e.g., Home Direct Eye Care) and local domiciliary services offer home visits. Compare availability in Lancashire.
- Call or use an online booking form — explain you need an NHS-funded home visit and why you cannot attend the shop. Providers have a dedicated phone/email for home visits (e.g., Specsavers’ home visit line).
- Gather documents — have proof of NHS entitlement (benefits letter, NHS HC2/HC3, or patient details) and any eye health letters (diabetes/glaucoma) ready.
- Prepare the home test area — clear a quiet, well-lit space and have a chair and a second person available if you’re more comfortable.
- On the day — the optometrist will carry portable equipment, carry out a full sight test (GOS standard) and complete any NHS paperwork (GOS forms, mobile GOS6 where applicable). Ask for a written record and referral if needed.
What happens during a home eye test (what to expect)
Home tests follow NHS sight-test standards: visual acuity checks, refraction (glasses prescription), ocular health checks (pupil reaction, external and internal eye inspection), and screening for conditions like diabetic changes or glaucoma risk. The optometrist will explain results, provide prescriptions if required and advise on referrals to hospital eye services when needed. Portable testing means some diagnostic imaging (e.g., retinal photography) may be limited; if more advanced tests are needed you’ll be referred.
Benefits of a domiciliary (home) test vs high-street test
- Convenience & dignity: no transport, queuing or unfamiliar surroundings. Ideal for people with mobility issues, dementia, or anxiety.
- Same NHS standards: the clinical test is governed by the same NHS GOS regulations — the difference is location, not clinical quality.
- Familiar environment for assessment: practical issues (home lighting, how person navigates rooms) can inform practical advice and lens choices.
- Care-home coverage: many providers visit care homes to reduce missed care and support annual reviews.
Limitations to know:
- On-site equipment is portable, so some advanced imaging might require a referral to a clinic or hospital for retinal photos or visual field analysis.
- Spectacle dispensing: although optometrists can prescribe, selecting a large range of frames may require a shop visit (many providers offer frame ordering and delivery options).
Common myths & the truth
Myth: Home tests are “second-class” compared to high-street tests.
Truth: Home tests follow the same NHS sight-test rules and use qualified optometrists; they’re the same clinical standard adapted for people who cannot attend a shop.
Myth: You won’t get a prescription from a home visit.
Truth: You will receive a written prescription if required; providers can often organise spectacles afterwards.
Myth: Only big opticians do home visits.
Truth: Both large chains and specialist local domiciliary services provide home visits — including regional services covering Lancashire. Compare options.
FAQs (fast answers)
Q: Is the home NHS test free?
A: If you meet NHS eligibility and the mobility/health criteria, the home NHS sight test is free. You may still pay for upgraded lenses or spectacle options.
Q: Do optometrists carry the same qualifications?
A: Yes — domiciliary optometrists are fully qualified and follow the same clinical rules and paperwork (GOS) as shop optometrists.
Q: What about care-home residents?
A: Many domiciliary providers host regular visits to care homes and can provide both NHS and private services on site.
How Home Direct Eye Care fits in (Lancashire-specific help)
Home Direct Eye Care provides NHS and private home eye tests across Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside — offering domiciliary optometry for private homes and care settings. Their model matches the points above: they deliver NHS-standard sight tests at the patient’s door, support care-home screening, and help with follow-ups and spectacle orders. If you’re in Lancashire and meet the NHS eligibility and mobility criteria, Home Direct Eye Care is one of the local options to request a visit from.
Why choose them?
- Local coverage for Lancashire, with experience in domiciliary and care-home testing.
- They follow NHS GOS procedures and will advise or refer appropriately.
Actionable tips before your home visit
- Keep a list of current medications and any eye history (diabetes, glaucoma, previous surgery).
- Note changes: new blurred vision, flashes, floaters, or headaches — these are important to mention.
- If mobility is an issue, have a caregiver nearby and a clear path for the clinician to set up.
- Ask the optometrist beforehand about what spectacle services they can provide after the test (frame selection, home trials, delivery).
Quick checklist to book now
- Confirm NHS eligibility (see NHS guidance). nhs.uk
- Decide provider (like Home Direct Eye Care).
- Call or complete online form, explain you need a home NHS sight test and why you cannot attend.
- Gather proof of entitlement and any medical letters.
- Prepare a quiet, well-lit space for the visit.
Final thoughts — a little urgent honesty
Millions of people in the UK are at risk of undiagnosed vision problems — many are older adults who find it hard to get to a shop. Home eye tests are not a “luxury” — they’re an essential, NHS-backed service that prevents avoidable sight loss. If you or a loved one meet NHS criteria and struggle to leave home, booking a domiciliary visit is medically sensible and often free. The clinical standards are the same as high-street tests, and local providers in Lancashire — including Home Direct Eye Care and major chains with domiciliary teams — are ready to help.
Call to action
Don’t let transport or mobility stand in the way of eye health. If you’re in Lancashire and think you may qualify, book your free NHS home eye test today — contact Home Direct Eye Care or your preferred optician’s home-visit team to arrange an appointment. If you want, use this checklist above when you call so your visit goes smoothly. Good vision is too important to postpone.