Asda Opticians - The Bridge Shopping Centre
NHS & Private
The Bridge Shopping Centre, Somers Road North, Portsmouth PO1 1SL
Cameron-Davies Opticians & Hearing Care - Southsea
NHS & Private
39-41 Marmion Road, Portsmouth PO5 2AT
Specsavers Opticians - Cosham
NHS & Private
46a High Street, Portsmouth PO6 3AG
Specsavers Opticians - North End
NHS & Private
20 London Road, Portsmouth PO2 0LN
Specsavers Opticians - Southsea
NHS & Private
22 Palmerston Road, Portsmouth PO5 3QH
Vision Express - The Cascades Centre
NHS & Private
8 The Cascades Centre, Charlotte Street, Portsmouth PO1 4RJ
Ashleigh Opticians and Hearing Centre - Fratton
NHS & Private
Fratton, Portsmouth
Boots Opticians - Commercial Road
NHS & Private
194-204 Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 1HB
Stanhope House, Commercial Street, Portsmouth
Specsavers Opticians - Commercial Road
NHS & Private
216-218 Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 1HG
Vision Express Opticians at Tesco - North Harbour
NHS & Private
Tesco, Clement Attlee Way, Portsmouth PO6 4SR
Malcolm Smith Opticians - Cosham
Private
30 High Street, Portsmouth PO6 3BZ
Portsea Eyecare - Southsea
Private
117 Elm Grove, Portsmouth PO5 1LH
Opticians and eye care in the UK
Eye care ranges from routine sight tests and glasses at high-street opticians to medical and surgical eye care at ophthalmology clinics. Optometrists and dispensing opticians are registered with the General Optical Council (GOC); eye surgeons are doctors registered with the GMC, and clinics performing eye surgery in England are also CQC-registered.
NHS and private sight tests
NHS-funded sight tests are available to certain groups — including children, people over 60, and those on qualifying benefits or with certain conditions such as diabetes or glaucoma. Others pay privately for an eye test. Glasses and contact lenses are generally paid for privately, though NHS optical vouchers help with costs for those who are eligible.
Types of eye care
- Opticians / optometrists — sight tests, glasses, contact lenses, and screening for eye conditions.
- Ophthalmology clinics — medical and surgical care for cataracts, glaucoma and other conditions.
- Laser & lens surgery — refractive procedures to reduce dependence on glasses (private).
Looking after your eyes
Regular sight tests can detect not only changes in vision but early signs of eye disease and some general health conditions. If you have sudden vision loss, eye pain or flashes and floaters, seek urgent care — call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999. This page is information only and not medical advice.
Last updated: 2026-06-14
Frequently Asked Questions
NHS-funded sight tests are available to certain groups, including children, people aged 60 and over, and those on qualifying benefits or with conditions such as diabetes or glaucoma. Others pay privately. Ask the optician whether you qualify.
Many people should have a sight test about every two years, but your optometrist may recommend more frequent tests depending on your age, eye health and any conditions. Regular tests can also detect early signs of eye and general health problems.
Yes. Optometrists and dispensing opticians are registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). Eye surgeons are doctors registered with the GMC, and clinics performing eye surgery in England are also registered with the Care Quality Commission.
Sudden loss of vision, eye pain, or new flashes and floaters should be checked urgently — contact an optician, call NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999. This is not a substitute for professional advice.