Your eye test explained
What is an eye test & do I need to have them?
Eye tests are an important way to check your vision & to make sure you're wearing the correct glasses or contact lenses if you wear them. They also check for potential conditions such as diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma (where the optic nerve is damaged in the eye) & macular degeneration (an age-related condition that affects the middle part of the vision). Early detection makes treating these conditions easier & more effective. Checking children's eyesight is particularly important, as up to 80% of what they learn is through sight*. Checking their eyes can also help prevent conditions like a lazy eye developing. Children usually get their eyes checked when they are a year old by a health visitor. It's advisable to get them checked again at about age three, then at least every two years until they are 16.
What happens during an eye test?
Before your eye test
Let us know when you’ve arrived & we’ll get you checked in for your appointment. Before your eye test we’ll usually begin with some preliminary checks.
First, we may carry out an eye pressure check by blowing a puff of air onto your eye or a visual field test where you monitor flashing lights across a screen. These quick & painless checks will help us to identify the early signs of eye conditions like glaucoma. We’ll also take a digital retinal photograph to create a permanent record of your eye health. This allows us to monitor changes which may take place over time.
During your eye test
Your optician will thoroughly test your eyesight, at both near & far distances. They'll also check how your eyes change focus between near & far objects.
They will normally ask you questions around your lifestyle & whether you have had any problems with your eyes or general health & will look for any eye conditions as well as examine the general health of your eyes.
You may also have other tests:
• An eye pressure test (where a puff of air is blown into your eye to check for early signs of glaucoma)
• A visual field test (where you monitor flashing lights on a screen. This also tests for early signs of glaucoma)
• A digital retinal photograph (this gives your optician a record of your eye health so they can monitor changes over time)
• An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) advanced eye scan. This helps your optician to understand the different layers of your retina.
The time taken to complete your eye test will vary according to your individual needs but will generally last between 30 minutes & an hour. If you have more complex needs, it may take longer.
After your eye test
By the end of your eye test, we'll have enough information to recommend the best options for your eyesight based on your individual needs.
We'll talk you through the options & put together a personal eyecare recommendation for you, which will clearly explain what we've recommended & why, including details of any glasses or contact lenses you may need.
If you need glasses, we'll help you choose the best lenses for your visual needs. A member of our opticians' team will have all eyes on you by helping you choose your perfect pair of glasses with our trained personal shopper. We will help find your matched frames to suit your face shape giving you confidence when choosing your glasses. Your personal eyecare recommendation will form part of a patient pack you can take away with you, so you can fully understand & be in control of your eye health.
How long should I expect to be in store?
You'll spend up to 1hour 30 minutes in total with your optometrist & team during your visit. This includes your pre-screening, eye test examination & shopping for your glasses or contact lenses. Depending on age and complexity, such as glaucoma or other ailments, an eye test may take different lengths of time.
How often should I have my eyes tested?
For adults & children with healthy eyes, the NHS recommends an eye test every two years. More frequent check-ups may be recommended for:
• Children who wear glasses
• People with diabetes (who aren't already having annual retinal screening)
• People aged 40 or over with a family history of glaucoma
• People aged 70 or over, if necessary
• People with an eye condition that needs monitoring more often
• If you’re experiencing any signs of presbyopia, which is the gradual loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects. If you’re having to hold books or your mobile phone at arm’s length to be able to read them, book an appointment so your optician can prescribe glasses if needed.
Your optician knows your eye health best & will recommend how often you should have your eyes checked.
Why choose Boots Opticians?
Your eye health is important to us. Our opticians use a range of services to ensure you can enjoy happy, healthy eyes for as long as possible in an affordable way. When you choose Boots Opticians, you can access:
- OCT advanced eye scans – an optical coherence tomography scan allows your optician to see what’s going on under the surface of your eye. This can help them detect any underlying conditions, like diabetes or age-related macular degeneration
- Big designer brands – plus our specially-designed own-brand frames
- Spread the cost – split the cost of your prescription glasses into three, interest-free payments with Klarna**
- 2nd pair half price*** – Buy any pair of prescription glasses or prescription sunglasses & you’ll get your second pair half price
- Free contact lens trial† – choose from either a month’s supply of selected daily reusable lenses or up to five pairs of daily disposable lenses
- Our complete satisfaction guarantee – 30 day returns, 12 month warranty & lifetime glasses care & cover
- Over 60s discount‡ – enjoy 10% off your first pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses
- Contact Lens Rewards Plan§ – save £285 on average with our plan. Enjoy savings on glasses & sunglasses.
Do I have to pay for an eye test?
The cost of your eye test is from £29.95‖ at Boots Opticians. You may also be eligible for a free NHS eye test. Find out if you are eligible here. Eye tests are free for everyone in Scotland, as they are funded by the NHS. Charges apply for a 3D OCT eye scan which gives you a whole new dimension to your eye test. Please speak to your local store for more information on this.
What types of appointments can I book?
We have different types of appointments for different needs. To make things simple, find out what type of appointment that would be suited to you here or if you’re not sure, you can contact us on 0345 125 3752~.
*Langley 1996
**Klarna Pay in 3: You need to be at least 18 years old and a UK resident to use Klarna’s credit products including Pay in 3 instalments. When you choose Klarna they will also check the information you provide and your financial situation. Klarna's Pay in 3 is an unregulated credit agreement. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit. 1st payment at purchase, 2nd in 30 days, 3rd in 60 days. Minimum spend £35, maximum spend £1000. Payment of an item cannot be split between Klarna and another payment type.
***2nd Pair Half Price: Choose any pair of complete prescription glasses or prescription sunglasses and get all additional pairs half price
You can choose any combination of frames, lenses and coatings for both your first pair and any additional pairs
The cheapest complete pairs of glasses or sunglasses will qualify for the half price discount
To qualify for the half price discount all pairs must be bought for the same customer within 3 months from collection of their first pair
Additional discounts and promotional coupons where available will be applied to the first pair only, subject to their terms and conditions
NHS vouchers may be used in conjunction with this offer, if used as a cash contribution towards the final cost of the transaction
Offer excludes non-prescription sunglasses, ready-made reading glasses, frame only purchases, reglazes and safety eyewear
Normal Boots Advantage Card terms and conditions apply. You must be signed in & have an Advantage Card assigned to your account to be able to shop savings. Normal Advantage Card terms & conditions apply. Excludes in-store orders. No Price Advantage at airport stores. One point per £1 at Boots Opticians
†Free Contact Lens Trial: A trial consists of up to 5 pairs of daily disposable lenses or a month’s supply of selected daily reusable lenses. This trial excludes quarterly replacement, annual replacement and coloured contact lenses. You will need to have a valid glasses prescription. If you do not have a prescription, a sight test is required and is chargeable at the current price, please ask a member of staff for details. Excludes current Boots Contact Lens Reward Plan customers.
‡Over 60s Discount: 10% discount will be applied when you purchase a complete pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses. You will need a valid prescription. Valid on 1st pair only and can be used with our half price additional pairs offer but not in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Offer excludes our £40 frame range, ready-made reading glasses, re-glazes and safety eyewear. Discount is only available to customers aged 60 or over. Discount is not transferable, cannot be used retrospectively and no cash alternative is available. Prices & discounts may vary between Boots Opticians stores.
§Contact Lens Rewards Plan
Prices may vary across regional stores
Unmatched rewards
10% off Boots and Boots owned brands every time you shop at Boots. Earn Advantage Card points on your plan payments. Claim based on comparison of plan benefits against those offered by other high street Opticians in the UK in June 2022. See comparison table.
What is the yearly saving based on?
Based on average contact lens reward scheme customer saving for transactions between 03/07/2022 to 03/07/2023. Saving amount is based on discount achieved in relation to eye tests (non-NHS customers), contact lens checks, glasses purchases, Boots Advantage Card points awarded on monthly reward scheme subscription charges and purchases of Boots brand products as part of the scheme.
What is Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan?
Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan is a Direct Debit scheme, which provides a convenient way to spread the cost of wearing contact lenses. Additionally, and depending on your contact lens type, solutions can be included in your plan. Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan is not a credit agreement, it's a payment plan which allows you to pay in advance for each order. You will be required to pay the first three months' payments upfront when you join Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan. Your bank account will then be debited each month following sign up. Your contact lenses will be ordered automatically every three months, and you'll make three payments for each order.
How long will my agreement last?
Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan does not have a minimum agreement term and can be cancelled at any time, all we ask is that you give us 28 days' notice of your wish to cancel and we'll cancel your plan and refund any advance payments directly into your bank account. We reserve the right to change the terms of your Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan agreement giving you three months' notice.
How much will I pay?
All payments you make (including your initial payment and subsequent monthly Direct Debits) are made up of (i) a charge for professional dispensing services including check-ups and (ii) a charge for goods, inclusive of postage and packaging. Of your total payment 50% is for dispensing services and 50% is for goods.
All prices are subject to review, and any changes to your Direct Debit will be detailed, via a letter, with at least five weeks' notice.
What happens if a mistake is made with my payment?
If Boots Opticians or your bank or building society makes a mistake with your monthly Direct Debit payment, an immediate refund can be requested under the terms of the Direct Debit Guarantee by contacting your bank or building society directly. Please also contact the Boots Opticians Contact Lens Reward Scheme on 0345 603 2020 (calls are charged at local rate) or email contactlenses@boots-opticians.co.uk.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If, for any reason, your bank or building society rejects our request for your monthly Direct Debit payment, then we will attempt to collect the payment on your next scheduled payment date. Please be aware we are unable to send your contact lenses until you have paid the full balance of your delivery and any missed payments could lead to your delivery schedule being altered. We will contact you to arrange payment of any outstanding monies and can realign your delivery schedule if required. If we cannot collect your payments for three consecutive months then your scheme membership will be automatically cancelled.
How can I change the Boots Opticians I go to?
If you move house just pop into your new local Boots Opticians practice and let them know you have moved to the area. Your Boots Opticians practice will arrange to transfer your Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan and patient records. In the majority of cases there will be no requirement for you to sign a new Direct Debit Instruction.
What happens if I have a change to my contact lenses?
If you need a new lens type or your prescription changes during the term of your Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan membership we can arrange for your new lenses to be transferred to your account. You will see a payment adjustment on your next payment date following your lens type change.
What happens about solutions on my plan?
If you need contact lens solution for your lens type, your optician can include these in your monthly payments. If you have selected store pick up for your lenses, every three months a solution pack will be available for you to collect in store. If you have selected home delivery both your lenses and solutions will be delivered to your home address.
How do I tell you about a change to my personal details?
Please notify your local Boots Opticians practice (the practice where you attend your contact lens appointments), email contactlenses@boots-opticians.co.uk or you can write to: Boots Opticians Customer Service Team, Boots Head Office, D90 EF05, Thane Road, Beeston, Nottingham, NG90 1BS, quoting your membership number. If you wish to change your bank or building society details or Direct Debit payment date, please contact your local Boots Opticians practice or you can email contactlenses@boots-opticians.co.uk.
Can I collect Boots Advantage Card points?
You'll collect one point for every £1 you spend on lenses and solutions on your Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan. We can add points on to your Advantage Card when you visit the practice to collect your lenses, or come in for your contact lens appointment or eye test. If you have opted for home delivery on your plan, your Advantage Card points will automatically be uploaded on to your Advantage Card, five days after the delivery of your lenses. We will not exchange Advantage Card points for cash. Advantage Card points cannot be spent in Boots Opticians, 'third party sites' including Boots Hearingcare, bootskitchenappliances.com, prescription items, infants milks (up to 6 months), gift vouchers/cards, postage stamps, mobile phone top-up cards and Boots insurance. Full Boots Advantage Card terms and conditions apply.
Boots Opticians Contact Lens Reward Scheme offers
Being a member of the Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan also gives you access to other great offers. These do not form part of your agreement and we reserve the right to alter or withdraw linked benefits without notice.
Contact lens checks
We want to make sure your eyes are healthy and that your lenses are as comfortable as they can be, so we will need you to attend an inclusive contact lens check at least once every 24 months; your optician will advise if we need to see you more frequently. Please be aware that if your contact lens check becomes overdue, your lenses will be directed to your base practice and will not be available to you until you have attended your contact lens check. These checks are important as your eyes and eye heath can change over time. We'll let you know when your next appointment is due.
Inclusive eye test and contact lens checks
As a Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan customer you are entitled to unlimited eye tests and contact lens checks within your monthly Direct Debit. These appointments are subject to availability (if you are eligible for an NHS eye test you can choose to claim via the NHS or the Contact Lens Rewards Plan. Our colleagues in store can explain any impact if you are eligible for an NHS voucher). There is no cash alternative or refund for NHS eye tests.
Save 50% on a pair of complete glasses and sunglasses (including frames, lenses and dispensing) and on non-prescription sunglasses at Boots Opticians
All of our prices for glasses include the dispensing fee and a fee for the frame and Boots standard single vision lenses. NHS vouchers may be used as a cash contribution towards the final cost of your glasses. Prices shown in Boots Opticians practices include the frame and Boots standard single vision lenses. This offer includes Boots brand and designer frames fitted with prescription lenses. These offers exclude frame only purchases and re-glazes and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or staff discount.
Spare contact lenses for emergency use
We know that accidents sometimes happen, so we'll be happy to offer you occasional replacement lenses on request, depending on your plan type. Monthly/twice monthly lenses - a maximum of three lenses per year, daily disposable lenses - a maximum of 10 pairs per year. Quarterly/annual/made to order lenses - one lens per year at 50% off, based on the usual cash sale price. Should you need any emergency replacement contact lenses, please contact your local practice who will be more than happy to help. A valid specification is required.
10% discount on Boots brand products in Boots UK stores
To receive 10% off Boots branded products, you will need to be a member of the Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan and hold a permanent Advantage Card (you can apply online at boots.com).
The 10% discount will be activated automatically when you register your Advantage Card to your scheme in a Boots Opticians store. You must present your permanent Advantage Card each time you shop to receive the 10% discount. The discount will not be awarded retrospectively. 10% offer excludes Boots branded products from Boots Opticians, purchases from ‘third party sites’ including Boots Hearingcare, BootsKitchenAppliances.com, Boots prescription items, infant milks (up to 6 months), gift vouchers/cards, insurance, travel money, and travel services. This offer is open to UK residents. Not available on boots.com. Full Advantage Card terms and conditions apply. We reserve the right to cancel or vary this offer at any time. Available in all Boots stores. No cash alternative available. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount. A valid specification is required.
Plan holiday
If you find you are not wearing all of your lenses before your next delivery arrives, please contact us on 0345 603 2020 to discuss taking a plan holiday as we can stop your payments and lenses up to a maximum of six months in a 12 month period. Calls are charged at local rate.
Free contact lens trial
Please ask your optician when you attend for your contact lens check about new lenses on the market. We are happy to offer you a free trial of any alternative lenses.
Home delivery of contact lenses and solutions
Too busy to come in and collect your lenses? You can now choose home delivery for most lens types (excludes annual or other made to order contact lenses). We will deliver your lenses and solutions (if applicable) every three months. There is no extra charge for this service, and you do not need to sign for your deliveries. We can deliver to any UK address. If you do not receive your contact lens or solutions, please report this as missing as soon as possible on 0345 603 2020, calls are charged at local rate. It's important that we look after the health of your eyes so if you miss your regular contact lens check-up appointments your lenses will be automatically sent to your local Boots Opticians practice who will contact you to arrange your appointment and to collect your lenses. We can only hold your lenses for a limited period of time, so please arrange your contact lens check-up appointment as soon as possible. You can also decide to collect your contact lenses and solutions (if applicable) from your Boots Opticians practice, who will let you know when your lenses arrive.
All customer benefits will only apply to Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan customers. Cancellation of your scheme or failure to keep your payments up to date will result in your benefits being cancelled. The benefits of Boots Opticians Contact Lens Rewards Plan are subject to change at any time without notice.
‖Price may vary across regional stores
~Local call charges apply. Mobiles may vary
