Specsavers Eye Test Cost 2026: Prices, What Is Included, and How to Book
Specsavers is the UK's largest optician chain with over 900 stores. 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 £10 extra, bringing the enhanced test to £35. A contact lens check costs £15-30. 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
An OCT 3D retinal scan is a £10 add-on to the £25 standard test, so £35 in total. That is the cheapest OCT upgrade on the UK high street: Boots charges £25 extra (£54.95), and most independents £20 to £40. 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.
Standard Test
£25
20-25 minutes
With OCT Scan
£35
£10 upgrade
Contact Lens Check
£15-30
Aftercare appointment
NHS Eligible
Free
Same test quality
Specsavers Eye Test Price List 2026
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard eye test | £25 | Free if NHS-eligible. 20-25 minute appointment. |
| OCT 3D retinal scan (add-on) | +£10 | Makes the enhanced test £35 total. Cheapest OCT upgrade on the high street. |
| Enhanced test with OCT | £35 | Standard test plus the OCT scan. |
| Contact lens fitting (new wearers) | £30-40 | Full assessment, trial lenses, teaching. 45-60 minutes. |
| Contact lens aftercare check | £15-30 | Follow-up to check fit and corneal health. Varies by store. |
| easycare monthly plan | From £10/mo | Lenses delivered quarterly; all aftercare checks included free. |
| NHS-funded eye test | Free | Over 60, under 16, under 19 in full-time education, on certain benefits, diabetes or glaucoma. |
Standard test and OCT add-on prices verified against Specsavers in August 2026 and can vary slightly by store. In Scotland the standard NHS-funded test is free for all residents; the OCT add-on may still be charged. Contact lens fitting and aftercare fees are store-set ranges. Verify with your local branch when booking.
What the Standard £25 Test Includes
A Specsavers standard eye test takes 20 to 25 minutes and 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: £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 £10, the Specsavers OCT upgrade is significantly cheaper than Boots (£25 extra) and most independents (£20-40 extra).
Contact Lens Services
Initial Fitting
£30-40
Full contact lens assessment, trial lenses, teaching insertion and removal. Typically 45 to 60 minutes.
Aftercare Check
£15-30
Shorter follow-up to check fit and corneal health. Usually 15 to 20 minutes. Specsavers lists aftercare as up to £30, varying by store.
Specsavers easycare Monthly Plans
From £10 per month. 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 effectively free:
- •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 | £35 | Best value OCT upgrade at £10 extra |
| Boots Opticians | £29.95 | £54.95 | More thorough enhanced test, but pricier |
| Vision Express | £30 | Often included | OCT often included, good value if so |
| Asda Opticians | £24 | N/A | Cheapest but 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 £10, making the enhanced test £35. Contact lens checks cost £15-30. NHS-eligible customers get their test free.
How much is an OCT scan at Specsavers?
An OCT 3D retinal scan costs £10 on top of the £25 standard eye test, so £35 in total. That is one of the cheapest OCT upgrades on the UK high street, well below Boots (£25 extra). 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.
How much does a contact lens check cost at Specsavers?
A contact lens aftercare check costs £15-30 and takes 15 to 20 minutes. A first-time contact lens fitting for new wearers costs £30-40. Specsavers easycare monthly plans start from £10 per month 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?
A standard Specsavers eye test takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Adding the OCT 3D retinal scan adds a few minutes. A first-time contact lens fitting is longer, typically 45 to 60 minutes, because it includes teaching you how to insert and remove lenses.
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 4 September 2026, across 286 local authority districts. That is 12.0% 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.