Specsavers Eye Test Cost 2026: Prices, What Is Included, and How to Book
Specsavers is the largest optician chain on the NHS register, at 764 optical sites in England. Here is what every test costs and what you get for your money.
How much is an eye test at Specsavers?
A standard private eye test at Specsavers costs £25. Adding an OCT 3D retinal scan costs up to £10 extra, bringing the enhanced test to £35. A standalone contact lens aftercare check is store-set at up to £30. 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) you pay nothing. In Scotland the NHS funds a free eye examination for every resident, so the standard test there is free for all ages. Elsewhere prices can vary slightly by store, so confirm with your local branch when booking.
Specsavers OCT scan cost
Specsavers prices the OCT 3D retinal scan as an up to £10 add-on to the £25 standard test, so up to £35 in total in most stores. That is the smallest paid OCT upgrade among the big four chains: Boots quotes extra charges from £25 and publishes its Advanced Eye Test from £54.95, while Vision Express bundles the scan into its £30 Advanced Eye Test with no separate charge. Independent practices set their own fees and publish no standard rate. The scan is a private extra, so it is not covered even if you qualify for a free NHS eye test. Over-40s, diabetics, and anyone with a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration should add it.
Specsavers £10 eye test offer
Specsavers is currently running a £10 eye test offer, down from the standard £25. It applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland already gets a free NHS test for every resident) and is valid for one test on or before 31 October 2026. It covers the standard test only: the OCT scan is charged separately, and the offer does not apply if you already qualify for a free NHS-funded test. Present the voucher when you attend; it cannot be exchanged for cash or used with other sight test vouchers. Specsavers can change or withdraw promotions, so confirm it is still live when you book.
£25
Standard test
Free if NHS-eligible. £10 on the current offer
Up to £35
With OCT scan
The £25 test plus an up-to-£10 scan
Up to £30
Contact lens check
Aftercare, store-set
Free
NHS eligible
Same examination
Specsavers publishes £25 for an adult eye test and the OCT scan as up to £10 on top; its own FAQ also gives the test as £20 to £25, since stores set their own price. Read from specsavers.co.uk on 2 October 2026.
Specsavers Eye Test Price List 2026
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eye test | £25 | Free if NHS-eligible. Specsavers publishes no appointment length. |
| OCT 3D retinal scan (add-on) | Up to +£10 | Makes the enhanced test up to £35 total. Specsavers' own wording is “up to £10” in most stores, varying in some Scottish stores. |
| Enhanced test with OCT | Up to £35 | Standard test plus the OCT scan. |
| Contact lens fitting (new wearers) | Free trial | Free contact lens assessment and trial for new wearers; you need a current eye test. |
| Contact lens aftercare check | Up to £30 | Specsavers' own wording is “a small fee (up to £30) depending on your store”. Free on the easycare plan. |
| easycare monthly plan | By lens type | Lenses delivered quarterly; all aftercare checks included free. Price depends on your lens type. |
| NHS-funded eye test | Free | Over 60, under 16, under 19 in full-time education, on certain benefits, diabetes or glaucoma. |
Prices here were read from specsavers.co.uk on 2 October 2026 and can vary slightly by store. That read date is older than the other three chains on this site for a reason worth stating: specsavers.co.uk refuses automated requests from our server, so this page is re-read by hand rather than on the same schedule as Boots, Vision Express and Asda. In Scotland the standard NHS-funded test is free for all residents; the OCT add-on may still be charged. The initial contact lens fitting is usually free with a trial; standalone aftercare fees are store-set. Verify with your local branch when booking.
What the Standard £25 Test Includes
The standard £25 test covers:
- ✓Visual acuity assessment (distance and near)
- ✓Refraction to determine your exact prescription
- ✓Intraocular pressure measurement (glaucoma screening)
- ✓Slit lamp examination of the front of the eye
- ✓Retinal examination using an ophthalmoscope
- ✓Colour vision screening
- ✓Discussion of results and recommendations
This is a comprehensive examination that goes beyond checking whether you need glasses. The optometrist screens for eye conditions including glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and signs of diabetes.
OCT Scan at Specsavers
Specsavers offers one of the cheapest OCT upgrades on the high street.
£10 extra
Total: up to £35
The OCT (optical coherence tomography) scan creates a detailed 3D cross-section image of your retina. It can detect conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease years before symptoms appear.
Who should add it: Over 40s, diabetics, anyone with a family history of macular degeneration or glaucoma. At up to £10, the Specsavers OCT upgrade is the cheapest published add-on on the high street: Boots quotes extra charges from £25, and independent practices publish no scan charge at all, so ask for theirs when you book.
Contact Lens Services
Initial Fitting
Free with a trial
Specsavers offers a free contact lens assessment and trial for new wearers (you need a current eye test). Full assessment, trial lenses, teaching insertion and removal.
Aftercare Check
Up to £30
Shorter follow-up to check fit and corneal health. Specsavers describes this as “a small fee (up to £30) depending on your store” and waives it entirely on the easycare plan.
Specsavers easycare Monthly Plans
Priced by lens type. The easycare direct-debit package delivers your contact lenses every quarter and includes all aftercare appointments free, plus solutions. The monthly plan can work out significantly cheaper than buying lenses and aftercare separately.
Promotions and Offers
Specsavers regularly runs promotions that can make the eye test cheaper or effectively free:
- •£10 eye test in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, valid on or before 31 October 2026 (standard test only; excludes OCT and anyone eligible for a free NHS test)
- •2-for-1 glasses deals often include a free eye test
- •Free test when purchasing glasses over a certain value
- •Seasonal promotions (back-to-school, January sales)
- •Corporate eye care vouchers for employer-funded tests
Check the Specsavers website or your local branch for current offers.
NHS Tests at Specsavers
Specsavers accepts NHS-funded eye tests for all qualifying groups. The test is identical to a private test. You receive the same examination, the same equipment, and the same optometrist. The only difference is who pays.
There is no obligation to buy glasses afterwards. If you need glasses, you can use an NHS optical voucher towards the cost or take your prescription elsewhere.
Check your NHS eligibility →How to Book
Online
Book at specsavers.co.uk. Choose your branch, select a date and time. Typically appointments available within a few days.
Phone
Call your local branch directly. Useful if you have specific requirements or need an urgent appointment.
Walk-in
Some branches accept walk-ins, but availability varies. Booking in advance is recommended, especially on weekends.
How Specsavers Compares
| Optician | Standard | With OCT | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specsavers | £25 | Up to £35 | Smallest OCT add-on on a private test, up to £10 extra |
| Boots Opticians | From £29.95 | From £54.95 | Dearest of the four; scan sold as a paid tier |
| Vision Express | £30 | Included in £30 | No extra charge for the scan on a private test |
| Asda Opticians | £24 | N/A | £24 single price, fewer locations |
Specsavers Eye Test: Common Questions
How much is an eye test at Specsavers?
A standard eye test at Specsavers costs £25. An OCT scan upgrade adds up to £10, making the enhanced test up to £35. A standalone contact lens aftercare check is store-set at up to £30. NHS-eligible customers get their test free.
How much is an OCT scan at Specsavers?
Specsavers charges up to £10 for an OCT 3D retinal scan on top of the £25 standard eye test, so up to £35 in total in most stores. That is the smallest paid OCT upgrade among the big four chains: Boots quotes extra charges from £25 and publishes its Advanced Eye Test from £54.95. The OCT scan is a private add-on, so it is not covered by an NHS-funded test even if you qualify for a free eye test.
Is there a £10 eye test at Specsavers?
Yes. Specsavers is running a £10 eye test offer, down from the usual £25 standard price. It applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (not Scotland, where the NHS already funds a free test for every resident) and is valid for one test on or before 31 October 2026. It covers the standard test only: the OCT scan is charged separately, and the offer does not apply if you already qualify for a free NHS-funded eye test. Present the voucher when you attend; it cannot be exchanged for cash or used with other sight test vouchers. Specsavers can change or withdraw promotions, so confirm it is still live when you book.
How much does a contact lens check cost at Specsavers?
A first-time contact lens fitting is usually free: Specsavers offers a free contact lens trial for new wearers (you need a current eye test). Standalone aftercare checks are store-set, in Specsavers' own wording a small fee up to £30 depending on your store. Specsavers easycare monthly plans are priced by lens type and include aftercare appointments free.
Does Specsavers offer free eye tests?
Specsavers accepts NHS-funded eye tests for all qualifying groups. They also frequently offer free eye tests with glasses purchases under their 2-for-1 promotion. Check your local branch for current offers.
Is a Specsavers eye test free in Scotland?
Yes. Scotland is the only UK nation to fund a universal free NHS eye examination, so a standard eye test at a Specsavers store in Scotland is free for every resident, regardless of age or income. Private add-ons such as the OCT scan can still carry a small charge that varies by store. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the standard test is only free if you fall into an NHS-eligible group (over 60, under 16, under 19 in full-time education, on certain benefits, or with diabetes or glaucoma).
Are Specsavers eye tests free for over 60s?
Yes. Anyone aged 60 or over qualifies for an NHS-funded eye test, so the standard test at Specsavers is free across the whole UK. There is nothing to pay for the standard examination. Private add-ons such as the £10 OCT 3D scan are not covered by the NHS, so you would pay for those separately if you choose to add them.
How long does a Specsavers eye test take?
Specsavers does not publish an appointment length on its UK eye test page, so no figure here is attributed to it. Of the big four, two do publish one: Asda gives "usually about 30 minutes" for the examination, and Boots gives "up to 1 hour 30 minutes in total" for a visit that includes pre-screening and choosing glasses. Those two figures are measuring different things, which is why a single industry number is misleading. Ask your Specsavers store for the slot length when you book, and allow extra time if you intend to look at frames.
Do you have to buy glasses after a Specsavers eye test?
No. Your prescription belongs to you and the optometrist must give you a copy at the end of the test, so there is no obligation to buy glasses or contact lenses from Specsavers. You can take the prescription to any other optician or an online retailer. Ask for your pupillary distance (PD) measurement too, as you are entitled to it and online retailers need it.
Specsavers branches on the NHS register
The NHS Organisation Data Service listed 764 open Specsavers optical sites in England on 19 October 2026, across 287 local authority districts. That is 12.0% of the 6,374 optical sites on the register in England. Every one of them can carry out an NHS-funded sight test for people who qualify.