Eye Examinations in Hackney
A 30-minute eye examination at our Hackney practices for £35, or free on the NHS if you qualify. Unhurried appointments and the same optometrist each visit.
- Price
- £35
- Free on the NHS if you're eligible
- Length
- 30 minutes
- One-to-one with the optometrist
- How often
- Every 2 years
- More often if the optometrist advises it
- Practices
- Both
- Well Street and Brooksby's Walk
What happens on the day
- 1
The examination
Thirty minutes one-to-one with the optometrist. They assess your vision, check your eyes are healthy, and answer any concerns you have about them.
- 2
What we found
We explain it in plain terms. If your prescription hasn't changed, we'll tell you that and you can keep the glasses you have.
- 3
Frames and lenses
If you need them, our optical assistants at the front desk help you pick frames and talk you through the lens options open to you, based on the optometrist's recommendations.
What to bring
- Your current glasses
- Any contact lenses you wear
- A list of your medication
- Your GP referral letter, if you have one
Common questions
Am I eligible for a free NHS sight test?
You are if you're under 16; aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education; aged 60 or over; diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma; aged 40 or over with a parent, sibling or child diagnosed with glaucoma; registered blind or partially sighted; or receiving certain benefits. The full criteria are set by the NHS and change from time to time, so ask us and we'll check. We'll tell you at the point of booking, not after the appointment.
How often should I have my eyes tested?
The NHS recommends every two years as a minimum: a standard health baseline that lets us monitor changes in your prescription and your general eye health over time. Some patients need to be seen more frequently, and that's a judgement the optometrist makes based on your family history, age and lifestyle. Come sooner if your vision changes or you get headaches around close work.
What makes a prescription change?
Family history, age, certain health conditions and prolonged screen use all contribute. It's why the two-year interval matters even when nothing feels wrong.
Why does it matter if I feel fine?
Several conditions we look for are silent early on. Glaucoma damages peripheral vision so gradually that the brain fills in the gap, and people commonly lose a meaningful amount before noticing. Diabetes and high blood pressure both mark the retina, sometimes before they've been diagnosed elsewhere. Catching these early changes what can be done about them.
Will I see the same optometrist each time?
Yes. We're a small independent practice, so you see the same optometrist each visit and appointments aren't rushed. If you've been before, we compare what we see against your previous records. A change over time is often more informative than any single reading.
Where can I be seen?
Either practice: 204 Well Street, near Hackney Central, or 62a Brooksby's Walk in Homerton. Both keep the same hours and offer the same examination. Book online or call whichever is nearer.
