cAN I HAVE AN EYE TEST AT HOME?

​The simple answer is yes! If you need one then you can! For most people this is a free service funded by the NHS. So many people are unaware that this service exists but it definitely does! If you are entitled to a free eye test at an opticians but you are unable to get out on your own due to physical or mental health constraints, you will be entitled to a free eye test at home too. This includes (but is not limited to) people over 60, people with diabetes and people with glaucoma in their immediate family. There is a link to the full list of who is entitled to a free eye test here. 
https://freedomeyecare.co.uk/nhs

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If you are not entitled to a free eye test then you can still have one at home. Our private fee at Freedom Eyecare Nottingham is £45 and that includes the eye test, glasses fitting and a full aftercare service including any adjustments. This is reduced to £25 if you buy glasses from us. We also provide low vision assessments free for anyone who still struggles to see, even with glasses on, perhaps due to cataracts or macular degeneration. 
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​If you are in hospital, unfortunately the NHS will not fund your eye test until you are home. However, we can provide a discounted private eye test at £25 should you wish to have one done whilst still in hospital. If you lose or break your glasses in hospital and your eye test is in date, we can come out for free to help you to choose some new glasses. 


Below are some of reasons people may require a home eye test:


Dementia
Stroke 
Parkinson's disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Arthritis
COPD
Anxiety
Schizophrenia 
Agraphobia
Autism


If you're unable to get to an opticians unaccompanied for any reason, then we can come to you.


Here at Freedom Eyecare Nottingham, home eye tests is all we do. If you want to book an eye test for someone but they are not able to communicate, we are still able to test their eyes. Many people with autism, advanced dementia or have suffered a stroke are unable to tell us what they can see or answer any questions about which lenses are better or worse. We have specialist training and equipment that allows us to measure someone's eyes for glasses and to see into their eyes so we know how well they will or won't be be able to see with glasses, even if they can't communicate. When an optician looks into your eyes with an ophthalmoscope, they are not only able to check the health of the eyes but can also detect and monitor other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even increased pressure in the brain.

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For relatives of people with advanced dementia or autism there can be a worry about unpredictable or challenging behaviour. If an eye test is booked but cannot be finished for any reason, we can come back another day. We are experienced in testing people with these conditions and always allow plenty of time for each patient, up to an hour if necessary so there is no rushing around and we can try and make the eye test as easy as possible for each patient.

At Freedom Eyecare Nottingham, we are an independent optician and specialise in home visits. Our patients can benefit with very competitive cost of glasses starting from as little as £49 which includes glasses frames and hard coated lenses. We have a whole range of glasses which we subsidise for patients who are entitled to an NHS voucher so that there is nothing to pay for this range. We also have a range of tough, flexible frames and plenty of other glasses to browse through that patients can put an NHS voucher towards. We can make tv glasses, reading glasses, computer glasses, bifocals, varifocals, sunglasses, glasses that change in the sun, anti glare, anti scratch, you name it and we will try our best to provide it. 


If you need help or have any questions about home eye tests, please give us a call on 01157866320. We cover all of Nottinghamshire and can provide eye tests further afield if needed. There are only two of us in the team so if we are both out testing eyes, please leave a message and one of us will get back to you as soon as possible. If you'd rather email us you can contact [email protected].
​Stephanie Lipsey-Liu

About the author:
Stephanie is one to the optometrist directors at Freedom Eyecare Nottingham. She and her business partner Ann Hamilton set up Freedom Eyecare when they realised they wanted more flexibility and control over their working hours in order to look after their families. Stephanie and Ann decided they wanted to provide a more personal, friendly service to people who need eye tests at home. Stephanie loves what she does and has a wealth of experience in independent practises, multiples and hospital optometry. Home visits are her passion and she loves the variation that comes with each day