FREE EYE TEST @ Specsavers (Print Voucher)

For those that didn't know: Anyone working for an employer and uses a computer regularly as part of their role will get free eye test vouchers from their employer (and a further voucher towards the cost of glasses/contacts depending on their prescription). Just ask your boss or HR department.

For more info search for "DSE regulations" (edited)

Of course they want to sell glasses, otherwise why would they give you free stuff??

Why would you want a eye test if you aren't buying glasses anyway?? Just to check eyesight every 2 years? Then at least they will tell you if your eyesight has changed from your current glasses. It yes just go for a new pair if not just ignore the new prescription!

Sick of people complaining free stuff being not good enough!You are not that special to have all the goodies and they are not charity!

I've had one from them, the whole point is to have the eye test as a loss leader, and make the money back from the glasses which they agressively sell.

They didn't like to give me my prescription either, took 15 mins to convince them to provide it.

So far I've had 2 "free" eye tests and both were at different big name opticians, and had a similar agressively hard sell at both.
When paying for my own test then is was only a normal to hard sell, so it's not too much of a problem.

polarbaba18/02/2019 09:42

I've had one from them, the whole point is to have the eye test as a loss …I've had one from them, the whole point is to have the eye test as a loss leader, and make the money back from the glasses which they agressively sell.They didn't like to give me my prescription either, took 15 mins to convince them to provide it.So far I've had 2 "free" eye tests and both were at different big name opticians, and had a similar agressively hard sell at both.When paying for my own test then is was only a normal to hard sell, so it's not too much of a problem.Read lessRead more

Did you expect walk into a big name optician, get your eye test done, then walk out straight out with your new prescription, without the need to pay and without a single sentence convincing you to get new glasses? Perhaps all smiling faces from all store staff?

Why on earth would a business do that!? What made you think you deserve that if may ask?

deleted142319018/02/2019 09:46

You have to by a complete pair of glasses for the free eye test.

Can't be true. What about if following the test they conclude you don't need glasses. Did my last test at Spectsavers and I was told I do not need glasses.

deleted110351318/02/2019 10:47

People would get an eye test to check if they need glasses or their …People would get an eye test to check if they need glasses or their current prescription has changed. Glasses can then be bought online for a fraction of the price once the optician has provided the prescription.Read lessRead more

Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time want the service from actual professional people giving you an eye test for free without trying to selling anything?
They are more expensive for a reason, you get a store where you could try frames on, you see actual people serving you in store in exchange not being starving to death, right?

yulu9118/02/2019 10:44

Of course they want to sell glasses, otherwise why would they give you …Of course they want to sell glasses, otherwise why would they give you free stuff??Why would you want a eye test if you aren't buying glasses anyway?? Just to check eyesight every 2 years? Then at least they will tell you if your eyesight has changed from your current glasses. It yes just go for a new pair if not just ignore the new prescription!Sick of people complaining free stuff being not good enough!You are not that special to have all the goodies and they are not charity!Read lessRead more

People would get an eye test to check if they need glasses or their current prescription has changed. Glasses can then be bought online for a fraction of the price once the optician has provided the prescription.

A few years ago, when I was 21, i decided to randomly go for an eye test. I didnt feel like I had any sight issues, and I was also driving etc.

After the test, they told me they was surprised I've lived for so long without glasses. I could only see the top 2 rows of letters on one eye, and the top 3 rows on the other.

When I put on my first pair of glasses, it was very weird. It was like I had a superpower and i could read things very far away.

Its surprising how much you're supposed to be able to see/read. Go for an eye test now if you haven't had one before.

It was pretty life changing. (edited)

waz10116 h, 45 m ago

Just go in and say that your Grandmother had Glaucoma if you are over 40, …Just go in and say that your Grandmother had Glaucoma if you are over 40, they will do one and give you your prescription without question.https://www.glaucoma-association.com/about-glaucoma/should-i-have-an-eye-test/am-i-entitled-to-a-free-eye-test/Read lessRead more

It's not free. A Grandmother wouldn't qualify anyway.....but your advice is encouraging fraudulently claiming for an NHS FUNDED test. The NHS is stretched enough without people encouraging this sort of dishonesty.

Only available in some stores others charge £10

yulu911 m ago

Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time …Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time want the service from actual professional people giving you an eye test for free without trying to selling anything? They are more expensive for a reason, you get a store where you could try frames on, you see actual people serving you in store in exchange not being starving to death, right?Read lessRead more

I was only answering your question not picking an argument.

Add_to_Basket18th Feb

Try the frames on in store, find the ones you like, buy online, save …Try the frames on in store, find the ones you like, buy online, save £££s.Or use Mister Spex where you can order up to 4 frames at a time to try on for free. Once you have found the ones you like shop around for the best price.Wouldn't recommend this for people new to glasses though. But once you're used to buying glasses and know your pupillary distance, what kind of coatings you like on your lenses, having them thinned or not and all that stuff then online (like almost everything else in life) is the way forward.Read lessRead more

I would say go somewhere like Asda where the prices are really competitive with the online stores. Also kids get a spare set of glasses for free and all frames have scratch resistant and anti glare tints as standard so that already saves money , whereas the online stores charge extra. That's why it really doesn't work out that more expensive, especially when you consider that you can pop in for any repairs, or adjustments for free, and they will do a proper fitting when you get a pair of glasses to ensure its correct.

polarbaba18/02/2019 10:57

It was a voucher for a free eye test( that they issued, where you fill in …It was a voucher for a free eye test( that they issued, where you fill in a form to apply and they will send you a voucher at their discretion), and yes I expected that they would offer glasses, as is normal. But had not expected attempted withholding of my prescription and and very hard sell, where I couldn't see an opportunity to leave even without my prescription without being extremely rude and physically pushing staff out of the way.I'm not sure you understood what I had said from your tone, and there's no need for that.Read lessRead more

Of course I understand you you simply want quality service for free! Yes it's a free eye test voucher but there's a reason for that ffs! You should expect not smiling faces and hard sell when you decide to use it because they aren't making money from you!

Answer me why do you think they should provide the quality service you want for free??

People in this country are expecting too much so called nice gestures or politeness where they should not be treated that good!

yulu9120 m ago

Of course I understand you you simply want quality service for free! Yes …Of course I understand you you simply want quality service for free! Yes it's a free eye test voucher but there's a reason for that ffs! You should expect not smiling faces and hard sell when you decide to use it because they aren't making money from you! Answer me why do you think they should provide the quality service you want for free?? People in this country are expecting too much so called nice gestures or politeness where they should not be treated that good!Read lessRead more

I don't think I should have to answer to you especially when you've already made you're mind up.
Also companies frequently have offers and loss leaders to promote thier business or specific products /services.

This whole website is based around this idea!..


Sounds like your new to all this... So now you know. (edited)

ysyer200218/02/2019 10:50

Can I have the prescription after the test, if I do not buy a pair of …Can I have the prescription after the test, if I do not buy a pair of glasses from them?Read lessRead more

Yes they are obliged to give you your prescription even if you don't buy (or need) glasses. I NEVER buy glasses from the high street. I just go in for my free test (I use either vision express or specsavers. But have been to boots in the past) then walk out with my prescription.

bones2318/02/2019 10:42

Might be restrictions on where though. My office doesn't cover …Might be restrictions on where though. My office doesn't cover Specsavers.I've been checking the Specsavers 'free eye test' page for a few months - stores seem to periodically get added/removed. Unfortunately not my local yet!Read lessRead more

I suppose it depends on which provider they use. We use Edenred which are accepted (according to their website) at 96% of opticians.

yulu9118/02/2019 10:50

Did you expect walk into a big name optician, get your eye test done, then …Did you expect walk into a big name optician, get your eye test done, then walk out straight out with your new prescription, without the need to pay and without a single sentence convincing you to get new glasses? Perhaps all smiling faces from all store staff?Why on earth would a business do that!? What made you think you deserve that if may ask?Read lessRead more

It was a voucher for a free eye test( that they issued, where you fill in a form to apply and they will send you a voucher at their discretion), and yes I expected that they would offer glasses, as is normal. But had not expected attempted withholding of my prescription and and very hard sell, where I couldn't see an opportunity to leave even without my prescription without being extremely rude and physically pushing staff out of the way.

I'm not sure you understood what I had said from your tone, and there's no need for that. (edited)

frizzyhead18/02/2019 11:00

I miss Tesco opticians, I used them last time. Quick and basic eye test …I miss Tesco opticians, I used them last time. Quick and basic eye test and check and gave my prescription with any fuss or pressure to buy their glasses. Then found nice cheap pair online. Before that I used Specsavers since I was a teenager, I never did like it in there, the optician was nice but the people out front were bit pushy and kept following me around trying to force glasses on me that I didn't like that much. The last time I went there I felt forced to settle for a style I didn't like as they had none to choose from without paying ridiculously high designer prices, which I won't do. I haven't been able to get to read terms for this voucher as it doesn't like my postcode, even though my local store is on the list, so not sure if it says you must buy glasses from them or not, but the boots one says specifically it's a voucher for a free eye test when you buy any pair of glasses.Read lessRead more

I used Asda opticians last year, and they were good, gave you the prescription up front, and offered glasses which were very reasonably priced, and could walk off if I wanted. We all got our glasses from there, instead of online, as we appreciated the quality service and excellent prices. (edited)

yulu9118/02/2019 10:50

Did you expect walk into a big name optician, get your eye test done, then …Did you expect walk into a big name optician, get your eye test done, then walk out straight out with your new prescription, without the need to pay and without a single sentence convincing you to get new glasses? Perhaps all smiling faces from all store staff?Why on earth would a business do that!? What made you think you deserve that if may ask?Read lessRead more

That's exactly what I expect and have done twice, once with SpecSavers & once with boots. Got the prescription & ordered glasses from glasses direct (2 pairs for £16.99).

Unless they said "free eye test, but you have to buy glasses off us", I'd do the same every couple of years. In the end I am looking after myself and my own pocket. And this my friend is a deal site, like it or not!

a120/02/2019 17:47

Also it’s a rip off if you have contact lenses from specsavers, they won’t …Also it’s a rip off if you have contact lenses from specsavers, they won’t let you order new ones after a year until you pay £25 for an “assessment “ which doesn’t even include an eye test.Read lessRead more

Company expects to be paid for its professional time, what an outrage!!

a120th Feb

Also it’s a rip off if you have contact lenses from specsavers, they won’t …Also it’s a rip off if you have contact lenses from specsavers, they won’t let you order new ones after a year until you pay £25 for an “assessment “ which doesn’t even include an eye test.Read lessRead more

A contact lens check just like an eye test is medically beneficial.
I’ve commented before that my wife is an optician and that she happens to work for Specsavers. The amount of times she’s referred people for early signs of treatable conditions is surprising. Things like retina detachments, ulcers, brain tumours etc. CL wearers have a higher chance of damaging their corneas and of contracting acanthoameba keratitis.

Don’t play Russian roulette. Get your eyes tested, any where you like but get them done every 2 years and follow CL eye care guidelines.

Oh and every Specsavers is different. They operate a franchise business model. There are good and bad ones out there. (edited)

You have to by a complete pair of glasses for the free eye test.

deleted142319018/02/2019 09:46

You have to by a complete pair of glasses for the free eye test.

Where does it say that? Looks like the only restriction is that it's only available at participating stores.

Add_to_Basket18th Feb

For those that didn't know: Anyone working for an employer and uses a …For those that didn't know: Anyone working for an employer and uses a computer regularly as part of their role will get free eye test vouchers from their employer (and a further voucher towards the cost of glasses/contacts depending on their prescription). Just ask your boss or HR department.Read lessRead more

At mine, glasses are only free if they're needed for VDU use only, but the free eye test is still useful.

polarbaba18/02/2019 09:42

I've had one from them, the whole point is to have the eye test as a loss …I've had one from them, the whole point is to have the eye test as a loss leader, and make the money back from the glasses which they agressively sell.They didn't like to give me my prescription either, took 15 mins to convince them to provide it.So far I've had 2 "free" eye tests and both were at different big name opticians, and had a similar agressively hard sell at both.When paying for my own test then is was only a normal to hard sell, so it's not too much of a problem.Read lessRead more

I miss Tesco opticians, I used them last time. Quick and basic eye test and check and gave my prescription with any fuss or pressure to buy their glasses. Then found nice cheap pair online. Before that I used Specsavers since I was a teenager, I never did like it in there, the optician was nice but the people out front were bit pushy and kept following me around trying to force glasses on me that I didn't like that much. The last time I went there I felt forced to settle for a style I didn't like as they had none to choose from without paying ridiculously high designer prices, which I won't do.
I haven't been able to get to read terms for this voucher as it doesn't like my postcode, even though my local store is on the list, so not sure if it says you must buy glasses from them or not, but the boots one says specifically it's a voucher for a free eye test when you buy any pair of glasses.

frizzyhead29 m ago

I miss Tesco opticians, I used them last time. Quick and basic eye test …I miss Tesco opticians, I used them last time. Quick and basic eye test and check and gave my prescription with any fuss or pressure to buy their glasses. Then found nice cheap pair online. Before that I used Specsavers since I was a teenager, I never did like it in there, the optician was nice but the people out front were bit pushy and kept following me around trying to force glasses on me that I didn't like that much. The last time I went there I felt forced to settle for a style I didn't like as they had none to choose from without paying ridiculously high designer prices, which I won't do. I haven't been able to get to read terms for this voucher as it doesn't like my postcode, even though my local store is on the list, so not sure if it says you must buy glasses from them or not, but the boots one says specifically it's a voucher for a free eye test when you buy any pair of glasses.Read lessRead more

And look what happened to Tesco opticians. (edited)

The store 8 miles away charges £10.. the "free" ones are 25+ miles away.. typical...

Last time I bought from Specsavers, the optician told me I’d had a “significant change” from my current glasses so I bought new ones. Ultimately and after a series of cock ups, the branch manager agreed a refund saying my old glasses would be fine as there was no difference in my prescription from the previous one. I’ll never darken their doors again.

I used to highly rate SpecSavers, but after my family's last experience there, I will never step foot in one again. My father decided to keep his frames and get the lenses swapped, but when he went to collect them, the lenses were f*cked, for a lack of a better word.

The lenses did not fit the frame, they were poking out on both sides, and when they opened the case to show him, one of the lenses had already fallen out! They also managed to upsell him to £250 lenses! Appalling, and then because they had already gotten rid of his original lenses, he only had a (expensive, must I add) frame that was unusable anymore.

Best part? I went in to confront them and their words were: "these are perfectly acceptable, there is nothing wrong"

Can anyone recommend another optician?

AzNDeals20/02/2019 15:30

I used to highly rate SpecSavers, but after my family's last experience …I used to highly rate SpecSavers, but after my family's last experience there, I will never step foot in one again. My father decided to keep his frames and get the lenses swapped, but when he went to collect them, the lenses were f*cked, for a lack of a better word.The lenses did not fit the frame, they were poking out on both sides, and when they opened the case to show him, one of the lenses had already fallen out! They also managed to upsell him to £250 lenses! Appalling, and then because they had already gotten rid of his original lenses, he only had a (expensive, must I add) frame that was unusable anymore. Best part? I went in to confront them and their words were: "these are perfectly acceptable, there is nothing wrong" Can anyone recommend another optician?Read lessRead more

I can recommend one NOT to go to: Boots. I got a free eye test and free contact lens trial, but talk about chaos. Absolutely no management at all. Most of them were running about clueless, couldn't find my lenses, couldn't find my records on one visit, forgot to make follow-up appointments, didn't know what lenses to order, didn't bother to order new lenses to replace ones that had broken. It was like watching a comedy show. I wasn't really upset, I just stopped going and they obviously never noticed. You could probably get a free eye test there (the optometrists were OK) and then take the prescription somewhere else.

Ah, I'm in Scotland so free up here. Hopefully those follow suit in England and all can benefit

polarbaba18/02/2019 11:03

I used Asda opticians last year, and they were good, gave you the …I used Asda opticians last year, and they were good, gave you the prescription up front, and offered glasses which were very reasonably priced, and could walk off if I wanted. We all got our glasses from there, instead of online, as we appreciated the quality service and excellent prices.Read lessRead more

Also they thin the lenses for free if you need them this saves a lot of money if you have a heavy prescription

I was sold glasses I didn’t want and didn’t need, cost me over £200.

Never again, I would rather not see.

deleted155984522/02/2019 20:54

Yep, what annoys me is they sell it as eye health yada yada, and I do know …Yep, what annoys me is they sell it as eye health yada yada, and I do know people who have gone blind from treatable conditions picked up late. By selling people glasses they don't need they're just destroying trust in opticians.Read lessRead more

It’s a question of independence and ethics. At times specavers as a customer feels like a factory / production line.

no_Sunshine21/02/2019 08:27

That's exactly what I expect and have done twice, once with SpecSavers & …That's exactly what I expect and have done twice, once with SpecSavers & once with boots. Got the prescription & ordered glasses from glasses direct (2 pairs for £16.99).Unless they said "free eye test, but you have to buy glasses off us", I'd do the same every couple of years. In the end I am looking after myself and my own pocket. And this my friend is a deal site, like it or not!Read lessRead more

Everyone should follow this advice, then when all the high street opticians go bust we can test our own eyes using online tools. Who needs the professionals!

yulu9118th Feb

Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time …Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time want the service from actual professional people giving you an eye test for free without trying to selling anything? They are more expensive for a reason, you get a store where you could try frames on, you see actual people serving you in store in exchange not being starving to death, right?Read lessRead more

Take it easy , the individual was just pointing out they don't appreciate the "hard sell" approach, I'm sure they expect them to offer some sort of sales approach.
If Specsavers advertise a FREE eye test it's not unreasonable to expect just that, without pressure to buy glasses.

I was once told by them that I needed glasses for reading and computer work, so I bought them. 2 years later a different optician said my eyes were fine, no glasses needed. Either I have regenerating eyes or Specsavers were looking to upsell. (edited)

yulu9118/02/2019 10:54

Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time …Oh okay you want to buy your cheap glasses online but wt the same time want the service from actual professional people giving you an eye test for free without trying to selling anything? They are more expensive for a reason, you get a store where you could try frames on, you see actual people serving you in store in exchange not being starving to death, right?Read lessRead more

Try the frames on in store, find the ones you like, buy online, save £££s.

Or use Mister Spex where you can order up to 4 frames at a time to try on for free. Once you have found the ones you like shop around for the best price.

Wouldn't recommend this for people new to glasses though. But once you're used to buying glasses and know your pupillary distance, what kind of coatings you like on your lenses, having them thinned or not and all that stuff then online (like almost everything else in life) is the way forward.

Add_to_Basket18/02/2019 11:06

Try the frames on in store, find the ones you like, buy online, save …Try the frames on in store, find the ones you like, buy online, save £££s.Or use Mister Spex where you can order up to 4 frames at a time to try on for free. Once you have found the ones you like shop around for the best price.Wouldn't recommend this for people new to glasses though. But once you're used to buying glasses and know your pupillary distance, what kind of coatings you like on your lenses, having them thinned or not and all that stuff then online (like almost everything else in life) is the way forward.Read lessRead more

Not everyone like the fuss of waiting a delivery at home (especially when it needs signature), try something you've never actually seen, then pack them up, sealing the package, attach a label, then go out (yes you still need to go out it's not really an all-at-home deal at the first place, most likely you need to drive out depends on the shipping service they use) to post it.
It's a pain even thinking about it.

nice find

yulu9139 m ago

Not everyone like the fuss of waiting a delivery at home (especially when …Not everyone like the fuss of waiting a delivery at home (especially when it needs signature), try something you've never actually seen, then pack them up, sealing the package, attach a label, then go out (yes you still need to go out it's not really an all-at-home deal at the first place, most likely you need to drive out depends on the shipping service they use) to post it. It's a pain even thinking about it.Read lessRead more

Agree it could be perceived as a pain in the backside, although it's not really much of a chore, but it depends on your mindset. I personally relish the "challenge" of finding my perfect specs (or any purchase for that matter) for as little money as possible.

I'm not averse to leaving the house - it's got nothing to do with that at all - but I do love to save money. That's why I'm on HUKD in the first place!!

And it depends on what lengths you are prepared to go to to make what sort of savings. I wouldn't buy glasses online to save a tenner but my current pair I saved over £200 had I got them from Vision Express where I had my test.

sheffield7882 m ago

Mine does, used to be once a year, now is every other year.

Yeah they probably changed to every two years so they are in line with the recommended frequency for eye tests.