Should only provide a domiciliary eye examination for patients who cannot attend a practice due to physical or mental disability.⁷⁸ These situations may include where a patient:

1. is frail or ill
2. has challenging behaviour
3. becomes distressed when taken out of their familiar surroundings.

You must only provide a domiciliary eye examination at the request of, and with the consent of, the patient or a relative or primary carer.

You must only carry out a domiciliary examination if it is in the best interests of the patient. A domiciliary service can be provided privately for those who do not qualify for an NHS domiciliary visit.

You should encourage those who can attend a practice to do so, since the consulting room is the optimum environment for an eye examination.

For a patient who does not leave their home and will be using spectacles only in that environment, their normal place of residence is often the best environment for their sight test. In this environment the optometrist is able to assess levels of lighting, positioning of furniture and the TV and advise how optimum vision may be achieved.

If you do not offer a domiciliary service you, or your practice, should advise where patients can access these services.