Booking a home eye test for a relative
Yes — you can book a home eye test for a parent, partner or other relative. Most enquiries come from sons, daughters and carers who want to sort out an appointment without asking their relative to navigate phone menus or travel to a practice. You can arrange a home eye test for a relative even if you live in a different town, as long as we can reach their address across Coventry and the Midlands. Call 07458 693608 or use the booking form on this page to get started.
What we will ask you
To book a home eye test for a parent or relative, we need a few details about them and about you as the person arranging the visit. This helps us confirm coverage and NHS eligibility before the optometrist travels.
- Their full name, home address and date of birth
- The name of their GP surgery
- Why they cannot get to a high-street optician — for example mobility, dementia or frailty
- Any known eye conditions and whether they wear glasses or contact lenses
- Your name and the best phone number to reach you
- When a visit might suit — including evenings or weekends if weekday calls are difficult
We confirm NHS eligibility and any cost before the optometrist travels. Randy Bains, our GOC-registered optometrist with 18 years' experience in home eye care, usually sees the same patient on each visit.
If you use the booking form, choose that the test is for a relative — it prompts for the same information. For eye tests at home for an elderly parent, the steps are the same.
You can book an eye test at home for my mum, my dad or any other relative who struggles to get to a practice — the clinical visit is with them, but the admin can sit with you.
Checking whether the test is free
An NHS-funded home visit is available when the patient is entitled to an NHS sight test and cannot leave home unaccompanied because of physical or mental illness or disability. We check both parts for your relative when you call — you do not need to work it out alone.
Read our NHS home eye test eligibility guide for who is entitled to a free NHS sight test, and our home eye test cost guide for when a private visit applies (£75 for the same examination if NHS funding does not cover the home visit).
Being over 60 entitles someone to a free NHS sight test, but the home visit is only NHS-funded when the housebound rules apply as well. We talk that through with you before anything is booked so there are no surprises on the day.
Consent and being present
Your relative should agree to the visit wherever they are able to understand what is being arranged. If they can speak with us on the phone, we may ask to confirm that they want an eye test at home.
Relatives are welcome to be present during the appointment. Many sons and daughters sit in on the visit, especially the first time. You do not have to stay if your relative prefers privacy — tell us when you book either way.
If your relative lacks capacity to consent, care home staff or someone with lasting power of attorney for health and welfare may need to be involved — tell us about the situation when you call so we can advise on the right approach.
If your relative has dementia or memory problems
Randy Bains adapts domiciliary eye tests for dementia and memory problems: slower pace, simpler language, and flexibility about the order of tests. A familiar face in the room often helps someone feel safe when a visitor brings clinical equipment.
See our guide to home eye tests for patients with dementia, plus what to expect at a home eye test and domiciliary eye care for how visits work in general. Most appointments take 40 to 60 minutes, with extra time allowed when needed.
If your relative lives in a care home
We liaise with the home to agree a date, room and contact person. Residents can be seen as part of a scheduled round or individually where that suits better. Staff who know your relative can support the examination.
Care home eye tests and optician visits explains how rounds are organised for managers and families. The same GOC-registered optometrist, Randy Bains, can visit both private homes and care homes across the Midlands.
What happens after the test
Results are explained to your relative in plain language. With their agreement, we can talk you through the findings and any recommendation for new glasses or follow-up care.
If glasses are needed, frames can be chosen at home and then supplied, delivered and fitted on a return visit. Evening and weekend appointments are available at no extra cost — see weekend and evening home eye tests.
Return to the home eye tests overview for other routes, including NHS home eye tests and private home eye tests when your relative prefers a visit but does not meet NHS domiciliary funding rules.
There is no obligation to buy glasses from us. Your relative receives a written prescription and can use it elsewhere if they choose. If they order from First Care Optical, we confirm the price of any glasses before they commit — we do not quote glasses prices on this website.