OCT Scan Cost at UK Opticians: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Most opticians offer an OCT scan upgrade (Asda offers it at selected stores only). Here is an independent, unbiased assessment of what it costs, which chains offer it, what it detects, and whether you should pay for one.
How much does an OCT scan cost, and is it worth it?
An OCT scan costs £10 extra at Specsavers (£35 total with the £25 eye test), is included as standard at Vision Express (£30 Advanced Eye Test), and £25 extra at Boots (£54.95 total, with retinal photography). Independent opticians charge £20-40 on top. Is it worth it? For anyone over 40, diabetic, or with a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, yes: it catches sight-threatening conditions years before symptoms appear, and at £10 it is trivial next to the value of early detection. For a healthy under-40 with no risk factors it is helpful for a baseline but not essential. Prices vary slightly by branch, so confirm when booking.
What Is an OCT Scan?
OCT stands for optical coherence tomography. It uses light waves to create a detailed 3D cross-section image of your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Think of it like a CT scan, but for your eyes, and completely painless.
A standard eye test examines the surface of your retina. An OCT scan looks beneath the surface, revealing the individual layers of retinal tissue. This allows the optometrist to detect conditions that are invisible during a standard examination.
The scan itself takes about 30 seconds per eye. It is non-invasive, painless, and does not require eye drops or dilation in most cases. You simply rest your chin on a support and look at a target while the machine scans your eyes.
OCT Scan Cost by Optician
| Optician | OCT Cost | Total with Test | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specsavers | +£10 | £35 | Cheapest OCT upgrade on the high street |
| Vision Express | Included | £30 | OCT included as standard in the £30 Advanced Eye Test (varies by branch) |
| Boots Opticians | +£25 | £54.95 | Includes retinal photography as well as OCT |
| Asda Opticians | Selected stores | Not published | Not part of the standard £24 test; advertised at selected stores only with no published price. For a set price, use Vision Express (included) or Specsavers (+£10). |
| Costco Optical | Included | Members only | OCT included at no extra charge, but you must be a Costco member to use the optical service. |
| Optical Express | +£20 | £50 | Varies by branch |
| Independent | +£20-40 | £45-80 | Varies widely. May use higher-spec equipment. |
What Conditions Does an OCT Scan Detect?
Macular Degeneration
Essential for over 50sThe leading cause of sight loss in the UK for people over 50. OCT can detect early changes to the macula years before symptoms (distorted or blurred central vision) appear. Early detection allows lifestyle changes and treatment that can slow progression.
Glaucoma
Essential if family historyDamages the optic nerve, causing gradual peripheral vision loss. OCT measures the thickness of the nerve fibre layer around the optic disc. Thinning indicates early damage, often before visual field loss is detectable. Early treatment (usually eye drops) prevents further damage.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Essential for all diabeticsDiabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina. OCT can detect fluid leakage (macular oedema) and structural changes before they affect vision. Particularly important for Type 2 diabetics who may not know how long they have had the condition.
Vitreous Detachment
Useful for over 50sThe gel inside the eye separates from the retina, common after age 50. Usually harmless but can occasionally cause retinal tears. OCT confirms whether the detachment is complete and checks for any associated retinal damage.
Who Should Get an OCT Scan?
Strongly Recommended
- ✓Over 40 (risk of macular degeneration and glaucoma increases significantly)
- ✓Diabetic (Type 1 or Type 2)
- ✓Family history of macular degeneration
- ✓Family history of glaucoma
- ✓High blood pressure
- ✓High myopia (short-sightedness over -6.00)
- ✓Previous eye surgery or trauma
Nice to Have
- •Under 40 with no risk factors
- •No family history of eye conditions
- •Generally healthy with stable vision
Even if you are low risk, an initial OCT scan creates a baseline image. Future scans can be compared against it to detect any changes. At £10 (Specsavers), it is a modest investment for peace of mind.
The Honest Verdict
For over-40s and those with risk factors: Yes, absolutely worth it. At £10 to £25, the cost is trivial compared to the value of early detection. Macular degeneration and glaucoma both cause irreversible vision loss. Catching them early through an OCT scan can genuinely save your sight.
For healthy under-40s: Helpful but not essential. If you can afford the extra £10 at Specsavers, it is worth doing to establish a baseline. If budgets are tight, a standard eye test still covers the fundamentals.
Best value: Vision Express (OCT included as standard in the £30 Advanced Eye Test) or Specsavers (£10 extra). Boots' enhanced test at £54.95 is more comprehensive (includes retinal photography) but costs significantly more.
How Often Do You Need an OCT Scan?
Your first OCT scan creates a baseline image. Each subsequent scan is compared against it to detect changes. The recommended frequency depends on your risk profile:
Low risk (under 40)
Every 2-3 years
Moderate risk (over 40, family history)
Every 1-2 years
High risk (diabetic, existing conditions)
Every year
Common Questions
How much does an OCT scan cost?
An OCT scan costs £10 extra at Specsavers, £25 extra at Boots (as part of the enhanced test at £54.95 total), and is included as standard at Vision Express in its £30 Advanced Eye Test. Independent opticians charge £20-40 extra.
Which UK optician has the cheapest OCT scan?
Specsavers has the cheapest paid OCT upgrade on the high street at £10 extra (£35 total with the £25 eye test). Vision Express effectively undercuts even that by including OCT as standard in its £30 Advanced Eye Test at no separate charge. Boots charges £25 extra (£54.95 total, with digital retinal photography added), and independent opticians typically charge £20-40 on top.
How much is an OCT scan at Specsavers compared to Boots?
An OCT scan costs £10 extra at Specsavers, bringing the enhanced test to £35, and £25 extra at Boots, where the Advanced Eye Test is £54.95. Specsavers is the cheaper OCT upgrade by £15, though the Boots Advanced test also bundles digital retinal photography, which Specsavers does not include at that price.
Can you get an OCT scan free on the NHS?
A standard NHS-funded eye test does not include an OCT scan; OCT is a private add-on you pay for on top, even if you qualify for a free test. The exception is the hospital eye service: if your optometrist or GP refers you for a suspected condition such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, an OCT scan carried out as part of that NHS hospital care is free. For a routine test, expect to pay £10 (Specsavers) to £25 (Boots), or choose Vision Express, where it is included in the £30 Advanced Eye Test.
Is an OCT scan worth the extra money?
For people over 40, diabetics, and those with a family history of macular degeneration or glaucoma, an OCT scan is strongly recommended. It detects conditions years before symptoms appear. For healthy under-40s with no risk factors, it is helpful for establishing a baseline but not essential.
Do Asda Opticians do OCT scans?
Not as part of the standard £24 test. Asda advertises OCT 3D retinal imaging at selected stores only and publishes no price for it, so confirm availability and cost with your local branch. For an OCT scan with a clear published price, Vision Express includes one in its £30 Advanced Eye Test and Specsavers adds one for £10 on top of its £25 standard test.
Why does my receipt say 'Exempt Services' next to the OCT charge?
On till receipts, 'Exempt Services' refers to VAT: optical services are exempt from VAT, so the till categorises them that way. It does not mean the service should have been free to you. If your NHS sight test was free but you paid £10 at Specsavers (or £25 at Boots), that charge is the optional OCT scan, which the NHS does not fund even for people entitled to free tests. OCT should always be offered as an optional choice before the test; if it was added without your agreement, ask the store about a refund.
Which UK opticians offer OCT scans?
Specsavers (£10 extra), Boots (£25 extra, with retinal photography) and Vision Express (included in its £30 Advanced Eye Test) all offer OCT scans, as do most independent opticians (£20-40 extra) and Costco (included, members only). Asda Opticians is the main high-street chain that does not include OCT as standard; it advertises it at selected stores only, with no published price.