Free non-NHS eye tests anywhere?

QQQ

Specsavers website says "We’ve put a pause on free eye tests". Are there any other opticians which still do free non-NHS eye tests? 

QQQ

Anyone?...

tidus

Not aware of anywhere doing "free" eye examinations. Most Opticians have full diaries for weeks ahead so no need to. This is due to being unable to see as many people as normal due to cleaning and social distancing, on top of a backlog of patients from being closed during lockdown.

kirtondm

I would imagine their would be a hard sell from anyone who did at the moment due to extended times , PPE and cleaning

Emmia

Jimmy Fairly do free tests for glasses (not contacts) 
https://jimmyfairly.co.uk/pages/free-eye-test I've never used them so I've no idea on the hard sell aspect though.

My last test in August (at Cubitts) was effectively free, as the cost was knocked off the glasses I purchased - they also had a different "puff test" too which was more pleasant than the normal one, so it's likely I'll be going back there for my next test - even if I have to pay for it (eye tests aren't expensive IMO for something so important)

Alternatively does your employer have a scheme to allow you to reclaim the cost of a test every couple of years?

QQQ

Emmia said:

Jimmy Fairly do free tests for glasses (not contacts) 
https://jimmyfairly.co.uk/pages/free-eye-test I've never used them so I've no idea on the hard sell aspect though.

Well, parking in their area will probably cost more than an eye test elsewhere. Are there any free eye-test opticians outside Central London?

Emmia

QQQ said:

Emmia said:

Jimmy Fairly do free tests for glasses (not contacts) 
https://jimmyfairly.co.uk/pages/free-eye-test I've never used them so I've no idea on the hard sell aspect though.

Well, parking in their area will probably cost more than an eye test elsewhere. Are there any free eye-test opticians outside Central London?

Do you have a more specific location in mind?

There isn't really any need to drive and park in central London, as the public transport is great.

QQQ

Location - anywhere in West London would do. Public transport is best to avoid in Covid times.

myblindness

well my old man said when you are paying money for something above your neck you should not think about saving the money !  so thats my advise to you specially for something so sensitive like eyes 

Emmia

QQQ said:

Location - anywhere in West London would do. Public transport is best to avoid in Covid times.

I'm a bit confused as to why Jimmy Fairly on the Kings Road doesn't work - if you live in West London, and you want to avoid public transport (which us empty most of the time anyway) could you not walk or cycle?

Or you could just pay for a test locally.

QQQ

I'm a bit confused as to why Jimmy Fairly on the Kings Road doesn't work - if you live in West London, and you want to avoid public transport (which us empty most of the time anyway) could you not walk or cycle?

Because it's Central London, not West London. It's three hours of walking and 1.5 hours of cycling to there

Or you could just pay for a test locally.

Indeed. But this forum is called MoneySAVINGexpert, not MoneyWASTINGexpert