Stores and eye exams FAQs
Monday to Friday - 9am to 6pm
Weekends - 10am to 6pm
Eye examinations
Our eye examinations include assessments of your:
- Vision and any spectacle prescription you may require
- Binocular vision, which determines how well your eyes work together as a pair
- Internal and external ocular health, including retinal photographs
- Peripheral vision
- Internal eye pressure
We also offer a longer test with an enhanced OCT scan in our Hampstead, Spitalfields, Borough and Edinburgh New Town stores. OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography. It is a painless non-invasive scan that allows us to view structures of your eyes in 3D.
Unlike retinal photography which only allows us to see the superficial layers of the retina, an OCT scan lets us see all 10 layers. These can then be mapped and their thickness measured to help make diagnoses for sight threatening conditions.
OCT is also useful in the detection of glaucoma, and can do this up to four years earlier than a standard retinal examination or photography.
Our routine exams cost £40. Our Enhanced OCT Eye Examinations cost £65 and still include a full regular exam, with the addition of an OCT scan. Our optometrists are not sales people, they’re experts in eye health, and will never try to sell you a pair of spectacles if you do not need them.
No. You can pay for the examination in store after it is performed.
No. However, we do ask that you try to give us 24 hours notice so that we can see other patients in your cancelled appointment time.
Our exams are 30-40 minutes long, which gives our optometrists ample time to discuss any issues you may be having, as well as any needs that are particular to your situation, such as family history, varifocals or ocular pathology. Our optometrists are also happy to walk you through the tests they are performing so that you have a good understanding of your eyes and their health when you leave.
The expiry date of the prescription will depend on when the optometrist feels you next need your eyes examined. This is most often 2 years, but is sometimes sooner if you’ve had a significant change in your prescription or if any eye health problems were detected. After the expiry date, it is possible your prescription or eye health has changed, and you will need another eye examination before being able to purchase new glasses.
No, we do not.
A contact lens prescription is not the same as a spectacle prescription. Contact lenses sit on the surface of the eyes, whereas glasses sit in front of them. This affects how light is refracted and can alter the prescription. As there are a multitude of contact lens materials, curvatures and diameters, all contact lens prescriptions are specific to the lens type stated on the prescription. These cannot be converted to a spectacle prescription.
Eye examinations aren't just about checking your prescription. They're vital for detecting both changes to your eye health and wider health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Think of it like servicing your car, but for your eyeballs.
We only conducts private eye exams; we do not provide exams under the NHS or contact lens checks.
We do not provide eye exams or provide prescription lenses for under 16-year-olds or those registered partially sighted or blind.
OCT Examinations
OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography. It is a painless non-invasive scan that allows us to view structures of your eyes in 3D.
Unlike retinal photography which only allows us to see the superficial layer of the retina, an OCT scan lets us see all 10 layers. These can then be mapped and their thickness measured to help make diagnoses for sight threatening conditions.
OCT is also useful in the detection of glaucoma, and can do this up to four years earlier than a standard retinal examination or photography.
Scans are recommended for people aged 25 or over, who want to know more about their eye health. We also recommend OCT scans for those who have diabetes, glaucoma, or have family history of eye disease.
The OCT scan is in addition to your regular eye examination, not in place of it, and takes place during the same appointment.
Cubitts Hampstead, Spitalfields, Borough, and Edinburgh New Town currently offer OCT and it will be offered in further practices in the near future.
If our optometrists see a need for it during your regular examination, we will offer it in addition to your regular test.
Our stores
Yes, absolutely. At the checkout you can select your preferred store to collect your order from. Once your order is ready for collection, you will receive a confirmation email.
Your order can be returned for a refund or exchange in any of our stores, within our 30 day returns policy.
Regrettably, not all of our stores are fully wheelchair accessible.
Fully accessible stores and examination rooms:
Cambridge
Coal Drops Yard
Accessible stores (but not exam rooms):
Notting Hill
Brighton
Covent Garden
Hampstead (not our Bespoke room)
Please note that for Notting Hill, and Brighton, the exam rooms are on the ground floor, but some larger wheelchairs will not be able to access.
Store information, including contact details and opening hours, can be found here.
Visiting our stores safely
No, you do not. You are welcome to pop by at any time.
Please note, there may be a small wait if the store is busy.
We became cash-free and only accept contactless or card payments.
We offer store collection for online and phone orders at all of our stores. Simply select which store you would like to pick up from during checkout.
No, however you can still order frames online, and we have a 30-day no-quibble returns policy, should you change your mind. We also have our 3D virtual try on service.