News post

Optician making a difference in society

Coming from a family full of health professionals, OutsideClinic optician Simon Raw loves seeing people previously cared for by his uncles.

Born and raised in Northumberland, Iveston-resident Simon enjoys living close to his family and making a difference to people within the community performing at-home eye examinations.

He loves being able to care for people year on year and connect with those previously cared for by his family members.

"One of my uncles was a GP in a small village in Durham, and the other was a dentist in Whickham. Now I get to see patients who know them and had been cared for by them in the past," said Simon.

"I love making a difference to people's lives and the continuity of care for people who I have looked after for years."

An at-home eye test is becoming increasingly popular amongst the general public with an ageing population and an increased number of older people experiencing mobility problems, unable to get to a local optician.

"As a housebound person, it was so wonderful to be visited at home by such an understanding and expert person and for the spectacles to be provided as well," said Alan*.

OutsideClinic has seen a 50% increase in demand for their service since the beginning of the year. Simon is helping to encourage young optometrists to consider a career in at-home eye care and look after the increasing number of vulnerable people within society.

Working with universities across the country, Simon wants to educate young minds on how at-home eye care has changed. With investment in the latest technology, eye tests at home can be just as effective as an eye test at a local optician.

If you or a loved one need an eye test but cannot get to your high street opticians, OutsideClinic can visit you at home. With lots more opticians, like Simon across the country, there will be someone available to see you.

For more information visit, Home eye test and hearing test (outsideclinic.co.uk) or call our friendly team on 0800 60 50 40.

*For data protection purposes, patient names have been changed.

Careers

Become part of the fastest growing and largest domiciliary practice in the UK

Find our more

Myopia (Short-Sightedness): Signs, symptoms and treatments

Myopia (otherwise known as short-sightnedness) is one of the most common vision issues encountered in the UK. It is a refractive error, meaning it does not refract light properly.

Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness): Signs, symptoms and treatments

Hyperopia, or alternatively known as long-sightnedness, is one of the most common visual problems within the UK. It is a refractive error, meaning it does not refract light properly.

Understanding your eye test prescription and receipt

Unsure about the numbers on your prescription or receipt? Check out our guide to help you understand the essential information on your prescription.

Why do my ears itch with hearing aids?

It's normal to feel a bit of itchiness in the first few weeks of wearing new hearing aids. Just like getting used to a new pair of glasses, you're initially very aware of them resting on your nose.

Vision loss and dementia

Can dementia affect vision? Yes, dementia can affect vision, but it’s not always straightforward. Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, can lead to changes in the brain that affect how visual information is processed.

Vision loss after a stroke

A lot of the time, a stroke doesn’t actually affect the eyes, but more the part of the brain that affects vision. This means that the ability to see properly can be inconsistent, with some days being better than others.

Tracey regains clearer vision for crafting and bird watching

Over the years, Tracey had missed out on the small joys that once brought her happiness. "I used to enjoy making key rings, but I had to give it up." However following a visit from OutsideClinic, Tracey is excited to reconnect with family and enjoy bird watching again. It’s the little things that make all the difference.

Preventing falls in the elderly

About one in three adults aged 65 and older will experience a fall each year. (Source: NHS, “Falls - Prevention,” NHS UK.) OutsideClinic and Trinity Homecare are here to help families navigate these challenges.

10 best foods for eye health

A common question we see is that "Are there any foods that can help your vision" A short answer is no, there is nothing you can eat that will help increase your vision. However, there are certain foods you can look to in-corporate in your diet to help improve the health of your eyes. Included we have the all foods that will help aide this.

6 tips on how to make watching TV easier with low vision

From selecting the right TV and optimising your viewing setup to adjusting settings for better visibility and utilising supportive technologies like audio descriptions and voice-controlled remotes, we cover everything you need to make watching TV more accessible. Whether you're updating your equipment or adjusting your current setup, our advice is designed to help you see better and enjoy more.

Nystagmus: Causes, treatments, signs and symptoms

Nystagmus is an eye condition where the eyes make rhythmical, repetitive and uncontrollable movements. It can affect one or both eyes and often leads to visual disturbances.

Coloboma: What is it, affects on the eye, causes and blindness risks

Coloboma is a rare eye condition where normal tissue in or around the eye is missing from birth. It can affect one or both eyes and can involve different parts of the eye, such as the iris, retina, choroid, or optic nerve.

Request a home visit

We offer both eye and hearing tests - you will be invited to book both tests using this form.

Home eye test

Great news! We think you're entitled to an NHS funded eye examination in your own home.

While you aren't entitled to NHS funding, you can still benefit from our home eye test for the standard fee of £60. By clicking next and submitting a booking request you acknowledge that you understand a fee for a private test applies.

Home hearing test

Private

NHS

Don't know

Searching…

Patient details

Add another patient?

Contact details

Check appointment details and click the Complete Booking button

Thank you