A & I Lask Opticians - Chesterton Road
NHS & Private
42 Chesterton Road, Cambridge CB4 1EN
Boots Opticians - Lion Yard
NHS & Private
20/21 Lion Yard, Cambridge CB2 3NA
Boots Opticians - Petty Cury
NHS & Private
28 Petty Cury, Cambridge CB2 3ND
Cambridge Eyecare - Cherry Hinton
NHS & Private
104 High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 9HT
Clamp Optometrists
NHS & Private
7 St Andrew's Street, Cambridge CB2 3AX
D H Thomas Optometrists - Hills Road
NHS & Private
162 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PB
David Clulow Opticians - Sidney Street
NHS & Private
59 Sidney Street, Cambridge CB2 3HX
Specsavers Opticians - Fitzroy Street
NHS & Private
13 Fitzroy Street, Cambridge CB1 1ER
Specsavers Opticians - Lion Yard
NHS & Private
30 Lion Yard Shopping Centre, Cambridge CB2 3NB
Taank Optometrists - Mill Road
NHS & Private
92a Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2BD
Vision Express Opticians - Grand Arcade
NHS & Private
Unit SU20, Grand Arcade, St Andrew's Street, Cambridge CB2 3BZ
Cherry Hinton Opticians
NHS & Private
102 High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 9HT
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: 2026-06-13
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.