Home Eye Care Explained
What Is Domiciliary Eye Care? Complete Guide to Home Eye Tests
"Domiciliary" simply means "at home" — domiciliary eye care is a full eye examination carried out in someone's own home or care home room, instead of at a high street practice. It exists for exactly one reason: some people genuinely cannot get to an optician, and their eye care shouldn't suffer because of it.
Who is domiciliary eye care for?
It's designed for people who find it difficult or impossible to leave the house unaccompanied — including care home residents, people with mobility problems, and those recovering from illness or surgery. See our full NHS eligibility guide for the exact criteria.
What actually happens during a home visit?
- The optometrist brings all the equipment needed for a full eye examination
- Vision is tested, along with overall eye health
- Any existing glasses prescription is checked and updated if needed
- If new glasses are needed, frame selection can be arranged as part of the visit or a follow-up — see Glasses & Lenses
- The optometrist returns to fit and adjust any new glasses once they're ready
It's the same standard of eye care as an in-practice appointment — just brought to you.
Is it free?
If you meet the NHS eligibility criteria, a domiciliary eye test is completely free. If not, private home eye tests are available from £95–£120 depending on location in Essex. Full detail on eligibility and pricing is on our NHS Eligibility page.
Care homes
For care homes, domiciliary eye care usually means visiting the whole home in one scheduled visit and testing every resident, rather than arranging individual appointments. See our Care Homes page for how block contracts, NHS claims and CQC documentation work.
How do I arrange a home eye test?
Call us on 01268 777729 and we'll talk through whether you or your loved one qualifies for NHS funding, and get a visit booked in.
Book a Home Eye Test
Call now or book online — we'll confirm eligibility and arrange a visit.
📞 01268 777729