If you struggle to attend an eye test during the working week, weekend appointments are widely available across the UK. Most high-street opticians are open on Saturdays, and an increasing number also offer Sunday appointments.
Saturday eye tests are available at virtually all Specsavers, Boots Opticians, and Vision Express stores. Most open from around 9am and close between 5pm and 6pm, though hours vary by location. Saturday is typically one of the busiest days for opticians, so booking in advance is strongly recommended. Many practices fill their Saturday appointments a week or more ahead, so the earlier you book, the more choice of times you will have.
Sunday appointments are less universally available but are offered at many larger stores, particularly those in shopping centres or retail parks. Specsavers and Boots stores in major retail locations commonly offer Sunday testing, typically from 10am or 11am to 4pm or 5pm. Vision Express also opens many stores on Sundays. Independent opticians are less likely to open on Sundays, though some in busy urban areas do.
Weekend appointments cost the same as weekday ones — there is no premium for out-of-hours testing. NHS-funded tests are also available at weekends for those who qualify. The test itself is identical to a weekday appointment, covering all the same clinical checks.
To find weekend availability, the easiest approach is to search online. Most chain opticians show real-time appointment availability on their websites, allowing you to filter by date and see exactly which Saturday and Sunday slots are open near you. Alternatively, call your preferred optician and ask for the next available weekend appointment.