Domiciliary eye tests — also known as home visit eye tests — are available for people who cannot easily travel to an optician's practice. A qualified optometrist visits your home with portable equipment and carries out a full clinical eye test to the same standard you would receive in a high-street practice.
You are eligible for a free NHS-funded home visit eye test if you cannot leave your home unaccompanied due to a physical or mental health condition or disability. This includes many elderly or housebound individuals, people in care homes or nursing homes, those with severe mobility issues, and people with conditions such as advanced dementia, agoraphobia, or severe disability. If you can get to an optician with help (for example, if a family member drives you), you may not qualify for a home visit — but the eligibility criteria are interpreted generously, and your optician can advise.
To arrange a home visit, you can contact a domiciliary optical practice directly (search online for domiciliary opticians in your area), ask your GP for a recommendation, or call NHS 111 for guidance. Many standard high-street opticians also offer home visit services for qualifying patients. The appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, and the optometrist will bring all necessary equipment including portable vision charts, a trial lens set, slit lamp, and often a portable fundus camera.
If you need new glasses, the optometrist can help you choose frames during the visit and arrange for the finished glasses to be delivered to your home. You may receive an NHS optical voucher towards the cost, just as you would at a practice-based appointment.
Private home visit eye tests are also available for anyone who simply prefers the convenience of testing at home, regardless of mobility. These typically cost between £40 and £80 and can be arranged through domiciliary optical services in most areas.