Boots Opticians Eye Test Cost 2026: Standard, Enhanced, and Contact Lens Prices
Boots Opticians operates around 550 stores across the UK. Its Advanced Eye Test bundles an OCT scan and digital retinal photography, one of the more thorough high street options, but it comes at a premium.
How much is an eye test at Boots?
A standard eye test at Boots (the Essential Eye Test) costs £29.95. The Advanced Eye Test, which adds an OCT 3D scan and digital retinal photography, costs £54.95, and the top Ultimate test with optomap ultra-wide imaging is £79.95 at selected stores. A standalone contact lens check-up costs £50. If you qualify for an NHS-funded test (over 60, under 16, under 19 in full-time education, on certain benefits, or with diabetes or glaucoma) the standard test is free. Prices are Boots' published rates and can vary by store, so confirm when booking.
Current Boots offer
Boots is running a £10 eye test promotion. Quote code ET10 in store for £19.95 off the Essential (£29.95), Advanced or Ultimate test, which brings the standard Essential test down to £10. New bookings only, valid for appointments attended by 30 June 2027. If you already qualify for a free NHS test, the same discount applies towards an Advanced or Ultimate upgrade. This is Boots’ own published offer, so confirm the code is still live when booking.
Essential Test
£29.95
20-25 minutes
Advanced (with OCT)
£54.95
OCT + retinal photo
Contact Lens Check
£50
Standalone check-up
NHS Eligible
Free
Same quality test
Boots Opticians Price List 2026
| Service | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Eye Test | £29.95 | Standard sight test, eye health check and dry eye evaluation |
| Advanced Eye Test | £54.95 | Essential test plus OCT 3D scan and digital retinal photography |
| Ultimate Eye Test | £79.95 | Essential test plus both an optomap ultra-wide scan and OCT (selected stores) |
| Contact Lens Check-up | £50 | Standalone lens assessment; free for Rewards Plan or Care Plan members |
| Free Contact Lens Trial | Free with a test | Trial lenses for first-time or returning wearers alongside an eye test |
| NHS-eligible test | Free | Same Essential examination, funded by the NHS if you qualify |
Boots quotes each test “from” these prices; the Advanced and Ultimate tests are the Essential test with paid imaging added (from £25 and from £50 respectively). Prices are Boots’ published rates and can vary by store, so confirm when booking.
Essential vs Advanced: What Is the Difference?
Essential Eye Test (£29.95)
- ✓Visual acuity and refraction
- ✓Eye pressure check
- ✓Slit lamp examination
- ✓Retinal examination with ophthalmoscope
- ✓20-25 minute appointment
Advanced Eye Test (£54.95)
- ✓Everything in the standard test
- ✓OCT scan (3D retinal imaging)
- ✓Digital retinal photography
- ✓More detailed macular and optic nerve analysis
- ✓30-40 minute appointment
- ✓Digital record for future comparisons
The Advanced Eye Test is genuinely more thorough. The OCT scan and retinal photography create a baseline record, so changes can be tracked over time. Particularly valuable for over-40s, diabetics, and people with a family history of eye conditions.
Boots Advantage Card Benefits
If you hold a Boots Advantage Card, you earn 4 points per pound spent at Boots Opticians. Points can be redeemed in any Boots store, including the pharmacy and beauty departments.
Boots occasionally offers bonus points promotions and Advantage Card exclusive offers on eye tests. Check the Boots app for personalised offers before booking.
Contact Lens Services
Contact Lens Check-up
£50
Boots' published standalone contact lens check-up, assessing fit and corneal health. It can be combined with a £29.95 eye test.
Free Contact Lens Trial
Free
Boots offers a free contact lens trial alongside an eye test for new wearers who want to try lenses before committing.
Boots Contact Lens Plan
Boots also runs a monthly direct-debit contact lens plan that spreads the cost of lenses, aftercare appointments and solutions. Plan prices depend on your lens type, so check current rates when booking.
NHS Tests at Boots
Boots Opticians accepts NHS-funded eye tests for all qualifying groups. The NHS test at Boots provides the same standard examination as the paid test. You are not required to purchase glasses or any other product.
Check your NHS eligibility →Boots vs Specsavers: Head to Head
| Feature | Boots | Specsavers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard test | £29.95 | £25 |
| With OCT | £54.95 | £35 |
| OCT includes retinal photo? | Yes | No |
| Loyalty programme | Advantage Card (4pts/£1) | None |
| UK stores | 550+ | 900+ |
| Contact lens check | £50 | £15-30 |
When is Boots worth the premium? If you want the most thorough option, the Advanced Eye Test with both OCT and retinal photography, or if you regularly shop at Boots and can benefit from Advantage Card points. For a standard test, Specsavers is £4.95 cheaper.
Boots Eye Test: Common Questions
How much is an eye test at Boots?
A standard eye test at Boots Opticians, the Essential Eye Test, costs £29.95. The Advanced Eye Test, which adds an OCT scan and digital retinal photography, costs £54.95, and the top Ultimate test with optomap ultra-wide imaging is £79.95 at selected stores. A standalone contact lens check-up costs £50. NHS-eligible customers get the standard test free.
Is there a £10 eye test offer at Boots?
Yes. Boots is currently running a £10 eye test promotion: use code ET10 in store to take £19.95 off the Essential (£29.95), Advanced or Ultimate eye test, which brings the standard Essential test down to £10. It is for new bookings only and is valid for appointments attended by 30 June 2027. NHS-eligible customers already entitled to a free test can put the same discount towards an Advanced or Ultimate upgrade. This is Boots' own published offer and can vary or be withdrawn, so confirm when booking.
How much is the Advanced Eye Test with an OCT scan at Boots?
The Boots Advanced Eye Test costs £54.95 and bundles an OCT 3D scan and digital retinal photography with the standard examination. That is more than the Specsavers OCT test (£35) but includes retinal photography that Specsavers charges separately for. Prices are Boots' published rates and can vary by store.
How much is the Boots Ultimate Eye Test?
The Boots Ultimate Eye Test costs £79.95 and is available at selected stores only. It combines the Essential test with both an OCT 3D scan and an optomap ultra-wide retinal image, giving the most comprehensive view of the back of the eye of any Boots test.
Does Boots do free NHS eye tests?
Yes. Boots Opticians provides free NHS-funded eye tests for all qualifying groups, including anyone over 60, under 16, under 19 in full-time education, on certain benefits, or with diabetes or glaucoma. The NHS test is the same standard examination as the paid £29.95 Essential test, with no obligation to buy glasses.
How much is a contact lens check at Boots?
A standalone contact lens check-up at Boots costs £50, or £29.95 plus £50 when combined with a sight test. It is included at no extra charge for members of the Boots Contact Lens Rewards Plan or Care Plan. New wearers can also get a free contact lens trial alongside an eye test.
Boots Opticians branches on the NHS register
The NHS Organisation Data Service listed 495 open Boots Opticians optical sites in England on 4 September 2026, across 252 local authority districts. That is 7.8% of the 6,385 optical sites on the register in England. Every one of them can carry out an NHS-funded sight test for people who qualify.