Can you get a home eye test in the evening or at weekends?
Yes — you can. Home eye tests don't have to happen on a weekday afternoon. At First Care Optical we offer evening and weekend home visits across the Midlands, at no extra cost, so a sight test can take place when it genuinely suits the household. For a lot of families, that flexibility is the difference between getting an eye test done and putting it off for another year.
Why a weekday daytime visit doesn't suit everyone
For many people, the standard nine-to-five window is the hardest part of the day to manage. An adult child who wants to be there for an elderly parent's eye test is often at work. A carer's availability is tied to a shift rota. And for a patient living with dementia or anxiety, a busy morning can be unsettling in a way that a calm evening simply isn't. None of these are reasons to go without eye care — they're reasons to arrange it at a better time.
What happens during an out-of-hours home eye test
An evening or weekend visit is exactly the same as any other home eye test. A GOC-registered optometrist comes to the patient with full portable equipment and carries out a complete examination — checking vision and the health of the eyes, just as a high-street practice would. The results are explained on the day, and family members or carers are welcome to sit in. If glasses are needed, we bring a frame range and return to fit them, and that follow-up can be an evening or weekend visit too.
NHS-funded or private — both available out of hours
If the patient is unable to leave home unaccompanied because of illness or disability, they may qualify for a free NHS-funded home eye test — and that applies to evening and weekend visits just as it does to weekday ones. If NHS funding doesn't apply, a private visit is available at the same times. We confirm eligibility on the patient's behalf before any visit, so there are no surprises.
There's no extra charge
This is worth saying plainly: we don't add a surcharge for evening or weekend visits. An NHS-funded test is free for eligible patients, and a private test is the same transparent fee whatever the day or time. The care is identical too — the same equipment, the same thorough examination, the same optometrist.
How to book
Booking is simple. Call 07458 693608 or send a message through our contact page, and let us know the days and times that work best. The appointment can be arranged by the patient, a family member, a carer or care home staff — whoever is coordinating things. We'll find a slot that fits.
To find out more, see our full guide to weekend and evening home eye tests, or get in touch to arrange a visit.