Call 0800 634 9723 or use the quick booking form at homedirecteyecare.com/book. During the booking call we will check eligibility and schedule a convenient time.
NHS ELIGIBILITY
FOR FREE HOME EYE TESTS
Access to an NHS-funded eye test should not depend on your ability to travel. Home Direct Eye Care exists to make sight testing simple, safe and accessible for people who cannot attend a clinic. This page explains everything you need to know about NHS eligibility for free home eye tests, how eligibility is assessed, what paperwork is required, and exactly how to book a domiciliary sight test in Manchester, Preston, Liverpool and towns across Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside. Read this guide to check your eligibility, prepare for your appointment and understand the benefits of a home visit from a registered optometrist.
NHS Eligibility Checker
Why NHS Eligibility Matters
NHS funding removes the cost barrier for many patients who need a sight test but cannot easily leave home. Knowing whether you qualify helps you access the right care without surprise fees. NHS-funded home eye tests are intended for people who are housebound, have severe mobility issues, or meet clinical or financial criteria described by NHS guidance. Home Direct Eye Care supports applicants from the booking call to the test itself, including completing necessary forms and advising on follow-up care.
How to Check NHS Eligibility Quickly
Phone check during booking
The fastest way to check eligibility is to call Home Direct Eye Care on 0800 634 9723 during your booking call. Our team will ask a few simple questions about age, benefits, health conditions and mobility. We will check eligibility and confirm whether your test can be provided under the NHS.
Prepare key details
Have the following ready when you call: date of birth, current address, any benefit paperwork (if applicable), brief medical history relevant to eyes (diabetes, glaucoma, recent surgery), and whether you are registered sight impaired.
Step-by-Step: How to Book a Free NHS Home Eye Test
Step 2: Confirm details and needs
We will ask about access, mobility, any cognitive or sensory needs, and who will be present during the visit. This lets us plan a dementia-aware or autism-friendly appointment if required.
Step 3: Eligibility verification
Our team will verify your eligibility on the spot using the information you provide. We will tell you whether the test will be NHS-funded and what, if any, documents we still need to complete the record.
Step 4: The domiciliary visit & Results and paperwork
A registered optometrist travels to the patient’s home or care setting with portable clinic-grade equipment. The visit follows NHS sight test standards and includes vision testing, refraction and basic eye health checks. • After the test the optometrist will provide a clear written record of findings, a prescription if required, and any NHS paperwork confirming the funded test. If specialist referral is needed, we will explain next steps.
What Happens During an NHS Home Eye Test
Arrival and equipment
The optometrist arrives with portable clinical equipment, infection control supplies and any materials needed for sensory adjustments. Visits usually take between 30 and 60 minutes.
Clinical assessment
Tests include distance vision (using Snellen or LogMAR charts), near vision, retinoscopy or subjective refraction as needed, external ocular health checks and basic internal checks with an ophthalmoscope when appropriate.
Communication and consent
The clinician will explain each stage in plain language and check consent before starting. Carers or family members may be present to assist and to hear advice on aftercare and spectacle options.
Recording and NHS paperwork
A written prescription and test record is given to the patient or carer. We complete any required NHS forms so that the visit is recorded as an NHS-funded domiciliary sight test if eligible.
When a Referral is Needed
If the optometrist identifies signs that require specialist ophthalmology assessment, such as retinal disease, sudden vision loss, or urgent pathology, we will recommend a referral. We will provide a clear summary to the patient and, with consent, contact the GP or care team to support the process.
NHS vs Private Home Eye Tests: What is the Difference?
NHS Home Eye Test
- Free for patients eligible under NHS criteria.
- Covers essential sight-testing procedures.
- Includes refraction and core eye-health checks.
- Ideal for those who require a funded home visit.
Private Home Eye Test
- Designed for patients not eligible for NHS funding.
- Extra time for more in-depth assessments.
- Includes advanced testing such as binocular vision.
- Detailed written reports and premium lens advice.
Common myths and facts about NHS home eye tests
NHS home eye tests are only for the very old.
Fact:
Age is one common criterion, but eligibility also covers people of any age with clinical or mobility needs, benefit entitlements or registered sight impairment.
I will be charged if I choose a home visit.
Fact:
If you are eligible, the NHS funds the home visit. If you are not eligible and still need a home test, Home Direct Eye Care offers private visits with transparent fees explained during booking.
Home tests are less accurate than clinic tests.
Fact:
Optometrists use portable, clinic-standard equipment and follow NHS sight test guidelines. When additional clinic-based imaging is required, the optometrist will arrange or recommend referral.
Preparing for the visit: practical tips
Space and lighting
A well-lit, quiet area free from glare helps accurate testing. Near the window is fine, but avoid strong backlight. If the patient uses a care room, ensure there is a comfortable chair and space for the optometrist to set up.
Existing spectacles and medication
Have current spectacles to hand and a list of current medication. This assists with accurate historical context.
Time and patience
Plan for 30 to 60 minutes. For patients with dementia or anxiety, allow extra time and inform the booking team in advance so the clinician can adapt the approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a free NHS home eye test?
People who are housebound due to illness or mobility, those over certain ages, people on specific benefits, individuals with diabetes or glaucoma, and those registered blind or partially sighted may be eligible. We check eligibility on the call.
How long does the test take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes. More complex assessments or additional tests for children, dementia-adapted testing or diabetic assessments can extend the time.
Do I need to pay for the NHS home eye test?
No, if you qualify for NHS-funded domiciliary testing. If you are not eligible but need a home visit, private options are available and pricing is explained up front.
Can a family member or carer be present?
Yes. Family or carers are encouraged to be present to support communication and to take away aftercare guidance.
What if the optometrist finds a serious issue?
The optometrist will explain findings, provide a written record and recommend urgent or routine referral to ophthalmology as appropriate.
Will I receive a prescription?
Yes, a written prescription will be provided.
Are the clinicians regulated?
Yes. All optometrists are qualified, DBS checked and registered with UK professional regulators. We comply with NHS and domiciliary best practice.
Areas we cover
Areas we cover in Lancashire
- Burnley
- Chorley
- Fylde
- Hyndburn
- Lancaster
- Pendle
- Preston
- Ribble Valley
- Rossendale
- South Ribble
- West Lancashire
- Wyre
- Blackburn with Darwen unitary
- Blackpool unitary
Areas we cover in Greater Manchester
- Bury
- Bolton
- Manchester
- Oldham
- Rochdale
- Salford
- Stockport
- Tameside
- Trafford
- Wigan
Areas we cover in Cheshire
- Alsager
- Birchwood
- Bollington
- Chester
- Congleton
- Crewe
- Ellesemere Port
- Frodsham
- Handforth
- Knutsford
- Macclesfield
- Middlewich
- Nantwich
- Neston
- Northwich
- Poynton
- Runcorn
- Saltney
- Sandbach
- Warrington
- Widnes
- Wilmslow
- Winsford
Areas we cover in Merseyside
- Bebington
- Bootle
- Bromborough
- Crosby
- Formby
- Halewood
- Heswall
- Kirkby
- Litherland
- Liverpool
- Maghull
- Newton-le-Willows
- Prescot
- Southport
- St Helens
- Wallasey
- HoylakeHuyton
Book Online
Call Us Now
Home Direct Eye Care provides NHS-funded home eye tests across Manchester, Preston, Liverpool and towns across Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside. If you think you or a loved one may qualify for a free NHS home eye test, call us now on
0800 634 9723 or complete the quick form.
We will check your eligibility, arrange a dementia-aware or autism-friendly visit if required, and support you through any follow-up care. Book today to protect sight, reduce anxiety around travel and get professional eye care where it matters most, at your door.