Vision Express eye test cost UK 2026

A private Vision Express Advanced Eye Exam costs £30, and at many stores an OCT retinal scan is included in that price. A contact-lens check is £20–£25. If you qualify for an NHS-funded eye test it is free.

GOC-regulated opticiansUK · Vision Express

How much is a Vision Express eye test in 2026?

A private Vision Express Advanced Eye Exam costs £30. At many stores an OCT retinal scan is included in that price, so the £30 covers both the test and the scan — though inclusion varies by store. The test is free if you qualify for an NHS-funded eye test — over 60, under 16 (or under 19 in full-time education), on certain benefits, or with diabetes or glaucoma. You are always entitled to a copy of your prescription to use at any other optician.

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Important context

Healthcare prices can change without notice and may exclude consultation fees, medication, diagnostics, anaesthetic, facility fees, follow-up care or add-ons. TreatCompare summarises published or compiled pricing for comparison and planning only. Always verify the current total directly before paying.

Source type: Provider-published prices and public healthcare guidance
Primary source: Vision Express published price pages and NHS eye-test eligibility guidance
Reporting period: June 2026
Last updated: June 2026
Figure type: Provider-published
Use: Research and comparison only

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Vision Express eye test price list

Service	Price	What it covers
Advanced Eye Exam (private)	£30	Full sight test with refraction and a written prescription. At many stores the OCT retinal scan is included in this price.
NHS-funded eye test	Free	For eligible groups (see below). Vision Express bills the NHS directly — you pay nothing.
OCT retinal scan	Often included (else +£10–£25)	A hospital-grade scan of the layers beneath the retina. Frequently bundled into the £30 Advanced Eye Exam, but inclusion varies by store.
Contact lens check	£20 – £25	Aftercare check for existing contact-lens wearers. A fitting for new wearers is part of the contact-lens service.

Prices are Vision Express published figures, verified June 2026. OCT inclusion and some fees vary by store — confirm with your local branch before booking.

When a Vision Express eye test is free on the NHS

You qualify for a free NHS-funded eye test (and Vision Express bills the NHS directly) if you are:

aged 60 or over, or under 16 (or under 19 and in full-time education)
on Income Support, Universal Credit (within the threshold), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or other qualifying benefits
diabetic or have glaucoma, or are 40+ with a close relative who has glaucoma
registered partially sighted or blind, or have a valid HC2/HC3 certificate

In Scotland, NHS eye tests are free for all residents. If you do not qualify, the private Advanced Eye Exam is £30.

Vision Express vs Specsavers vs independents

	Vision Express	Specsavers	Independent optician
Private standard eye test	£30	£25	£30 – £60
NHS-funded eye test	Free (if eligible)	Free (if eligible)	Free (if eligible)
OCT scan	Often included in £30	+£10 add-on	Varies
Test + OCT total	£30 (when included)	£35	Varies
UK locations	400+	1,000+	Varies

See the full Specsavers vs Vision Express comparison or compare all UK optician eye-test prices.

What is included in the £30 Advanced Eye Exam

Refraction — the test that determines your glasses or contact-lens prescription.
Eye-health checks — pressure check and a look at the front and back of the eye.
OCT scan — at many stores the hospital-grade retinal scan is bundled into the £30 (confirm locally).
A written prescription — yours to keep and use at any optician.

A contact-lens check (£20–£25) for existing wearers is charged separately from the eye test.

Frequently asked questions

How much is an eye test at Vision Express?

A private Advanced Eye Exam at Vision Express costs £30. At many stores an OCT retinal scan is included in that price, so you pay £30 for both the test and the scan. If you qualify for an NHS-funded eye test it is free — Vision Express bills the NHS directly.

Does the Vision Express eye test include an OCT scan?

At many Vision Express branches the OCT retinal scan is bundled into the £30 Advanced Eye Exam at no extra charge. It is not guaranteed everywhere — some stores add £10–£25 for the scan, and not every branch has OCT equipment. Confirm with your local store when you book.

Is a Vision Express eye test free?

It is free if you qualify for an NHS-funded eye test — you are over 60, under 16, under 19 in full-time education, on certain benefits, or have diabetes or glaucoma (or are advised you are at risk). In Scotland NHS eye tests are free for all residents. Otherwise a private Vision Express eye test costs £30.

Is Vision Express or Specsavers lower-cost for an eye test?

At our most recent check a private Specsavers eye test (£25) had a lower headline price than a Vision Express Advanced Eye Exam (£30). However, Vision Express frequently includes the OCT scan in its £30, whereas Specsavers adds £10 — so for a test-plus-OCT appointment the totals are close (£30 vs £35). Both are free on the NHS if you qualify. Confirm the current fee with your local store before booking.

Does Vision Express do home eye tests?

Vision Express focuses on in-store appointments and does not run a nationwide home-visit (domiciliary) eye-test service in the way some providers do. If you need a home eye test because you cannot leave home unaccompanied, an NHS-funded domiciliary test is free if you are eligible — ask your GP or a domiciliary provider.

Do I get a prescription I can use elsewhere?

Yes. After any eye test you are legally entitled to a copy of your prescription, which you can take to any other optician to buy glasses or contact lenses. You do not have to buy from the optician who tested you.

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Sources & further reading

Vision Express — Eye tests — Published Advanced Eye Exam pricing and OCT inclusion.
Vision Express — NHS eye tests — NHS eligibility and free-test rules.
NHS — Free NHS eye tests — NHS-funded eye-test eligibility groups.

How we check Vision Express eye test prices

Prices are taken from Vision Express' published price pages and verified June 2026. OCT inclusion and some fees vary by store — confirm with your local branch. Comparison figures for Specsavers and independents are from each provider's public pricing. We do not accept payment for inclusion.