Eye examinations

More than an eye test.

NHS sight testFully fundedNothing to pay if you are eligible — under-16s, under-19s in full-time education, anyone 60 or over, people on certain benefits and several medical groups. Privately, the Essential consultation is £39.

Book an eye examination

Which examination should I choose?

An eye examination at STOTTS. checks how clearly you see and how healthy your eyes are. NHS sight tests are fully funded for everyone eligible, and there are three levels — Essential, Advanced and Signature — each explained in plain language.

Private, from: £39; The private equivalent for anyone not eligible for an NHS-funded test.
With OCT (and Optomap at Urmston): £79; Adds OCT retinal imaging where appropriate, and Optomap ultra-widefield imaging at our Urmston practice.
Where: All six practices

All consultation fees

Essential

Free on the NHS if you are eligible, or £39 privately

A professional eye examination for routine vision checks, prescription updates and general eye health reassurance.

The examination includes

Analysis of your history and symptoms
Digital refraction (calculating your prescription)
External eye examination
Intra-ocular pressures (if required)
Suprathreshold fields (basic, if required)
Tailored recommendation
Referral for further investigation if necessary

Best for Routine eye tests and straightforward prescription checks.

Book Essential

Advanced

Allow 90 minutes

NHS-funded + £40 if you are eligible, or £79 privately

A more detailed clinical examination for people who want greater reassurance about their eye health — with advanced imaging such as OCT scans or retinal photography where available.

The examination includes

Analysis of your history and symptoms
Lifestyle consultation
Digital refraction (calculating your prescription)
External eye examination
Ultra-wide field retinal imaging using our Optomap, at our Urmston practice
Retinal deep-range imaging using the Topcon Ocular Coherence Tomography
Intra-ocular pressures (measurement of eye pressure)
Suprathreshold fields (basic peripheral vision check)
Full threshold fields (comprehensive peripheral vision check)
Tailored recommendation & treatment plan
Referral for further investigation if necessary
Nutritional advice for healthy eyes and tears
Dry eye analysis

Best for Visual symptoms, family history of eye disease, over-40s, drivers, screen users, or anyone wanting deeper clinical reassurance.

Book Advanced

Most complete

Signature

Allow 90 minutes

£145

Our most complete experience. Advanced clinical assessment, then much further — lifestyle discovery, lens strategy, styling guidance and personal recommendations.

Everything in Advanced, plus

Extended consultation time
Lifestyle and visual needs discovery
Screen, driving, reading and work-based vision review
Comfort, fatigue and glare discussion
Review of previous eyewear experiences
Personalised lens recommendations
Frame and styling guidance
Clear explanation of what is right for you and why

The Signature eye examination at STOTTS.

Best for Regular glasses wearers, varifocal wearers, heavy screen users, drivers, people with visual fatigue, or anyone wanting the full STOTTS. experience.

Read about Signature

NHS and private

Is your eye test NHS-funded?

Whether your appointment is NHS-funded or private, you are seen the same way: unhurried, thorough and explained clearly. The funding changes what you pay, not how we work.

You are usually entitled to an NHS-funded sight test if you

are under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
are aged 60 or over
have diabetes or glaucoma
are 40 or over and a parent, brother, sister or child of someone with glaucoma
have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
receive certain benefits, or hold a valid NHS certificate
are registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired

Not sure? Ring your nearest practice and we will check for you before you book. It takes a minute and there is no obligation.

If you are not eligible

Our private Essential examination is £39. Everything in it is the same clinical work an NHS-funded test covers, and the appointment is the same length.

You can also choose to be seen privately even when you are entitled to an NHS test — some people prefer to, and that is entirely your call. It changes nothing about your care.

NHS optical vouchers towards glasses are separate from the test itself. If you qualify for one, we will tell you and apply it.

Our consultation fees

Clear, honest pricing.

An NHS sight test is funded in full by the NHS — nothing to pay if you are eligible. Every other fee is below, and it is confirmed when you book — never after.

Appointment Fee

NHS sight testFunded in full by the NHS — nothing to pay. For everyone who qualifies: under-16s, under-19s in full-time education, anyone 60 or over, people on certain benefits, and several medical groups including diabetes, glaucoma and a family history of glaucoma. The full list is on the eye examinations page. Free if eligible

Essential — private Eye Health & Vision ConsultationThe private equivalent for anyone not eligible for an NHS-funded test. £39

Advanced Eye Health AssessmentAdds OCT retinal imaging where appropriate, and Optomap ultra-widefield imaging at our Urmston practice. £79

Advanced Assessment alongside an NHS-funded consultationThe imaging added to an NHS-funded test. NHS-funded + £40

Signature Vision ConsultationThe full vision, lifestyle and eyewear consultation. £145

Urgent Eye Health AppointmentFor a sudden change — flashes, floaters, pain or injury. £65

Review / Repeat / Dilation Appointment £45

Visual Status Report / Written Summary From £25

Studio members receive enhanced assessments as part of their membership. See membership.

The people behind your care

Meet our optometrists from across the group.

Whichever STOTTS. practice you visit, your eyes are in experienced, qualified hands.

Laura Jackson

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Unsworth

Martin Saunders

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Swinton

Laura Josephs

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Urmston

Freya Bowman

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Urmston

Kevin Laval

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Chorley

Sarah Booth

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Chorley

Lynsey Torrens

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Chorley

Phil Houston

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Burnley

Clive Duerden

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Burnley

Carol Purdom

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Burnley

Mariam Voraji

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Burnley

Rozma Ahmed

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Burnley

Susan Wright

Optometrist BSc MCOptom

STOTTS. Padiham

Eye examination FAQs

Good to know.

Do you offer NHS eye tests?

Yes. An NHS sight test is funded in full by the NHS, so if you are eligible there is nothing to pay. We provide them at all six practices in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

What is the difference between an eye test and an eye examination?

They describe the same appointment. "Sight test" is the NHS term for the statutory check of your vision and eye health. We call it an eye examination because that is what it is: we look at how clearly you see, how healthy your eyes are, and how your vision performs in your actual day.

How much is a private eye test at STOTTS.?

An Essential private Eye Health & Vision Consultation is £39. The Advanced Eye Health Assessment, which adds OCT retinal imaging — and Optomap ultra-widefield imaging at our Urmston practice — is £79 — or NHS-funded + £40 if you are eligible for an NHS-funded test. The Signature Vision Consultation is £145. The full schedule is on this page.

Am I eligible for an NHS-funded sight test?

You are if you are under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education; if you are aged 60 or over; if you have diabetes or glaucoma; if you are 40 or over and a parent, brother, sister or child has glaucoma; if an ophthalmologist has advised you to be tested for glaucoma; if you receive certain benefits or hold a valid NHS certificate; or if you are registered sight impaired or severely sight impaired. If you qualify, the test is funded in full and there is nothing to pay. If you are not sure, tell us when you book and we will check.

What is the difference between the Essential, Advanced and Signature consultations?

Essential (£39) checks how clearly you see and how healthy your eyes are. Advanced (£79) adds OCT imaging, which looks beneath the surface of the retina where several conditions begin; Optomap ultra-widefield imaging is available at our Urmston practice. Signature (£145) adds the lifestyle and eyewear side — how you actually use your eyes, and what to wear for it.

Do I need to bring my current glasses?

Please do, including the ones you only use for reading or the computer. Measuring what you are wearing now tells us what is working and what is not, which is harder to work out from the prescription alone. Bring your sunglasses too if they are prescription.

How often should I have my eyes examined?

Most adults are recommended every two years. Every year is usual if you are over 70, under 16, have diabetes or glaucoma, or if your optometrist has asked to see you sooner. We will tell you at the end of the appointment when to come back and why.

What happens if you find something?

We explain what we have seen, in plain language, and what it means. Some things are watched and reviewed; some need a referral to the hospital eye service, which we arrange. You will not leave without knowing what happens next.

More than an eye test.

Which examination should I choose?

Essential

Advanced

Signature

Is your eye test NHS-funded?

You are usually entitled to an NHS-funded sight test if you

If you are not eligible

Clear, honest pricing.

Meet our optometrists from across the group.

Good to know.

Do you offer NHS eye tests?

What is the difference between an eye test and an eye examination?

How much is a private eye test at STOTTS.?

Am I eligible for an NHS-funded sight test?

What is the difference between the Essential, Advanced and Signature consultations?

Do I need to bring my current glasses?

How often should I have my eyes examined?

What happens if you find something?

Book your eye examination.

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