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Two customers, one a woman and one a child, are met by a colleague upon entering a Specsavers store

Your Specsavers store visit explained

Book an eye test

The NHS recommends that adults have an eye test every two years – not only to check changes in vision but also to check the health of their eyes.

Why choose Specsavers for your eye test?

Our tests give a full analysis of your eye health so we can offer the best care.

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    Glasses from £15

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    850 local businesses nationwide and more than 40 years expertise

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    Advanced eye tests with OCT

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Before you come in, here are a few things to remember

Preparing for your appointment has never been easier. Use our Store Visit Checklist (below) to ensure you have everything you need for a smooth and efficient experience. From bringing your current glasses to checking your eligibility for NHS‑funded eye tests, this quick guide has you covered.

  • If you wear glasses:

    Please bring your current pair to your appointment.

  • If you wear contact lenses:

    Please bring your glasses, contact lenses and, if you use them, case and solution, as you’ll need to remove your lenses for the examination.

  • If you're having an NHS funded eye test:

    Please bring relevant proof that you qualify.

    Find out if you qualify

What happens in an eye test?

There are three main parts involved in our typical eye tests:

History and symptoms

This gives you the opportunity to discuss any concerns you have about your eyes, vision or current glasses, and whether you’re experiencing any symptoms which might need further investigation.

Your optometrist will ask about your general health, medications, any past treatment on your eyes, or if there are any family members with eye conditions. All this information helps them to tailor the examination to best suit your needs.

The tests

We use a variety of tests and equipment to assess different aspects of your eye health and vision. Some are common to all eye tests – for example, the letter chart indicates how clearly you can see – while others may be used when further investigations are required, for example, to check if your eyes can see colour normally.

Some of the common tests, like the visual field test and the eye pressure test (puff of air test), can be performed by an optical assistant on behalf of the optometrist before the eye examination. These are known as diagnostic tests and help to make the process more efficient.

Summary and advice

Once all the relevant tests have been carried out, your optometrist will be able to discuss the results and offer any advice. This could be a simple ‘all clear’ on the eye health front, or they might talk you through particular lens options to match your prescription and lifestyle.

At this point, treatments for any eye conditions are also discussed, as is possible referral to a specialist if required.

What happens in the pre‑test?

  1. Tonometer

    A tonometer will blow a gentle puff of air onto the surface of each eye to measure the internal pressure.

    This is one of a variety of tests that allows the optometrist to assess your risk of developing glaucoma.

  2. Autorefractor test

    This machine measures the ability of your eyes to focus and can be used to assess how long‑ or short‑sighted you are.

    Read more about automated refraction eye tests here.

  3. Digital retinal photography

    The optical assistant may then take a photograph of the back of your eyes using a fundus camera. This image is saved and is useful in monitoring changes in eye health on future visits.

Optometrist check

The optometrist will check the health of your eyes and look for signs of other medical conditions. They will ask you if you are experiencing any eye problems and about your general eye health and lifestyle. It is important to have a clear understanding of your needs so that we can select the best management plan and/or corrective lenses for you.

Stages of your optometrist check

Retinoscopy is used to get an estimate of the ability of your eyes to focus and can be used to assess how long‑ or short‑sighted you are. This test can also be used with children or for someone who cannot easily describe their vision.

While looking at the red and green light in the distance, your optometrist will shine a light in each eye. They will then place a number of different lenses in front of each eye to calculate a prescription for each eye. Read more about retinoscopy here.

Your eye test results

At the end of your eye exam, your optometrist will give you a copy of the prescription and can answer any further questions you may have. They will then recommend the best options for you – this might be glasses, contact lenses or maybe a referral to explore any eye conditions that have shown up in your eye test requiring specialist care.

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Wondering if you need an eye test?

If you've noticed a change in your vision, it's worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

Book an eye test

Your post‑visit survey email

Your feedback is important to us – if you leave your email address during your store visit, we’ll send you a short questionnaire about your experience. The type of survey and the questions included are determined by the type of appointment you attended.

If you have purchased a product, your survey will be sent a few days later to give you time to form an opinion on the product and the collection process.

Sometimes your personal privacy settings may block the email, so please check your spam folder if you wish to give feedback.

The feedback we receive helps us provide the best experience possible for all our customers. Every store receives your feedback directly and if necessary, will follow up on any concerns you have raised.

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Everyone who completes our survey will be entered into that month’s prize draw to win £1000. Your name will be included in the next draw after you have completed your survey. The prize is a token of thanks to all the customers who have taken the time to offer their feedback.

We don’t want to overload our customers with emails, so if you’ve completed the same feedback questionnaire in the last six months, we won’t send you a duplicate one.

Prize draw: One draw per month until further notice. Winners will be contacted by phone.

FAQs

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    Book an OCT scan

    OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is a hospital‑grade eye scan that helps us to view the structures of your eye in even greater detail.

    Book an appointment
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    Try our frames virtually

    If you need some new glasses, why not try our virtual try‑on tool? You’ll be able to see yourself wearing different frames in a 3D virtual try‑on.

    Find out more
  • Photograph of a woman in an orange top putting in a contact lens while an optician looks on

    Contact Lens Store Visit

    Your contact lens appointment is a little different to a normal eye test, but it’s just as important.

    Read about a store visit