Home Eye Tests Explained: Who They’re For, How They Work, and What Happens After
Professional eye care, delivered where it’s needed most
For many people, attending a high-street optician simply isn’t practical. Mobility issues, health conditions, cognitive impairment, or living in a care setting can make routine eye care difficult to access — and as a result, vision problems often go unnoticed.
Home eye tests (also known as domiciliary eye tests) exist to bridge that gap. They allow patients to receive the same professional eye examination they would expect in a practice, but in the comfort and familiarity of their own home or care environment.
This guide explains who home eye tests are for, how they work, and what happens after the examination, including glasses supply and ongoing care.
What is a home eye test?
A home eye test is a full sight test carried out in a patient’s own home, care home, or supported living environment by a qualified optometrist.
The examination follows the same clinical standards as a high-street eye test and includes:
Assessment of vision and prescription needs
Eye health checks (including screening for common eye conditions)
Discussion of visual symptoms, comfort, and daily needs
Portable clinical equipment allows the optometrist to carry out a thorough examination without compromising quality or safety.
Who are home eye tests suitable for?
Home eye tests are designed for people who cannot reasonably attend a high-street optician due to physical, medical, or cognitive reasons.
They are commonly suitable for:
Older adults with reduced mobility
People who are housebound due to illness or disability
Individuals living in care homes or supported housing
Patients with learning disabilities or neurological conditions
Those whose health makes travel difficult or distressing
In many cases, patients may be eligible for an NHS-funded home eye test, provided they meet the NHS criteria. Private home eye tests are also available for those who do not qualify or prefer a private appointment.
What happens during a home eye test?
A home eye test is typically unhurried and patient-centred, allowing the optometrist to work at a pace that suits the individual.
During the visit, the optometrist will:
Take a full clinical history
Assess vision using portable equipment
Check eye health and identify any concerns
Discuss visual needs for reading, TV, mobility, and daily tasks
For care-home residents, staff or family members are welcome to be present, which can be particularly helpful when patients have communication or memory difficulties.
If a referral is required (for example, to a GP or hospital eye service), this will be explained clearly after the examination.
Can glasses be supplied after a home eye test?
Yes. If glasses are needed, frames can be selected during the home visit, and prescription glasses can be supplied and delivered directly to the patient.
This process typically includes:
Helping the patient choose suitable frames
Ensuring comfort, fit, and practicality
Ordering lenses based on the prescription
Delivering completed glasses to the home or care setting
For many patients, this removes the need for any follow-up travel and ensures continuity of care from examination to final delivery.
How do home eye tests work in care homes?
Home eye tests are particularly valuable in care homes, where residents may struggle to attend external appointments.
In care settings:
Appointments can be arranged for individual residents or grouped visits
Testing takes place in familiar surroundings, reducing anxiety
Visual issues that affect mobility, confidence, or engagement can be identified early
Routine eye care plays a quiet but important role in falls prevention, wellbeing, and quality of life, especially for residents who may not always report vision problems themselves.
What happens after the test?
After the examination:
The patient (or their representative) is informed of the results
Any prescription changes are explained
Glasses, if required, are arranged
Referrals or follow-up advice are provided where appropriate
Ongoing care can then be planned, whether that involves future routine testing, monitoring eye health, or liaising with carers and family members.
Why accessible eye care matters
Vision changes often happen gradually and can be mistaken for general ageing, confusion, or reduced engagement. When eye care is inaccessible, problems can go unnoticed — affecting independence, safety, and wellbeing.
Home eye tests exist to ensure that lack of mobility does not mean lack of care.
Arranging a home eye test
If you’re arranging care for yourself, a family member, or residents in a care setting, a home eye test can provide professional, compassionate eye care without the stress of travel.
