08 January 2026
Ask a group of domiciliary optometrists why they love what they do, and you will hear different answers. Ask them what makes the role work, and certain themes come up again and again.
What first drew you to Specsavers Home Visits in the first place?
Parminder Kaur (PK): I started my career in hospital and quickly realised how much I enjoyed working with older patients in low vision and cataract clinics. I saw how difficult it was for many of them to attend their appointments – it never sat right with me that care stopped at the clinic door. I joined the team as a locum around 10 years ago and have never looked back.
Daniel Morgans (DM): My route into optics wasn’t straightforward. I’d done call centres, plastering and urgent care work on ambulances. Being around patients made me realise I wanted something in health, so I went back to college and then university.
A module on the eye just clicked with me. Even then, I always liked the idea of going into people’s homes. It just felt so much more personal. Domiciliary was always in the back of my mind.
You feel supported right throughout the day
Some optometrists worry about being out there on their own. What does support look like day-to-day?
Aaron Uraon (AU): Most days start with a coffee, a check that all my equipment is charged and ready, and a quick review of the route the team has planned. Then I head out with the optical assistant (OA) I’m paired with for the day to visit patients. I carry out the eye test, and my OA supports with pre-testing, dispensing and adjustments where needed.
Ella Helliwell (EH): In my previous domiciliary job, you really were flying solo. You did the test and the dispense on your own all day and it was a lot. Here, it’s a team effort. While I’m doing history and symptoms, the OA is on the laptop writing it all up. Behind that you have local schedulers who know the area and directors who are always on hand. Everything runs so easily; so efficiently. You feel supported right throughout the day.
How does working a smaller, local patch change things outside work?
PK: Clinics are booked in a pre-planned area so we can reach as many patients as possible without unnecessary travel. That means less time on the road and more time in patients’ homes, as well as a finish time that’s far more predictable. It’s great to miss the worst of the traffic on the way home.
EH: I’ve found a big difference. The furthest commute I do now is about 40 minutes and that’s not every day. I’ve dropped to four days a week and have Saturday to Monday off, which fits well with how I like to spend my time, whether that’s travelling, city breaks or just being at home. I’m earning more than I was before and I have more time for myself. It’s completely changed the balance of my week.
I’ve got more time for myself. It’s completely changed my week
Longer term, what has a Specsavers Home Visits role meant for your career?
PK: After getting a permanent role, I went onto the Specsavers Pathway programme to become a partner. Now I’m doing further clinical and professional qualifications, including independent prescribing. I just feel like there are so many more options.
AU: Specsavers offers a wide range of development opportunities and funding, and you’re actively encouraged to upskill clinically. So far, I’ve completed my medical retina professional certificate and recently completed the Specsavers Pathway Programme, which enables me to step into a director role and own my own practice.
PK: After getting a permanent role, I went onto the Specsavers Pathway programme to become a partner. Now I’m doing further clinical and professional qualifications. I just feel like there are so many more options to grow your career in ways you might not have thought of.
AU: You’re actively encouraged to keep developing and there’s real support and funding behind that. For me, it’s meant building my clinical skills and completing the Pathway Programme. I’m really looking forward to taking the next step towards a director role and owning my own practice.
DM: I was upfront from the start that partnership was my goal. Being on Pathway has been a good fit for me.
Specsavers might look huge from the outside... but you’re never just a number
Finally, what would you say to optometrists who are curious about Home Visits but not sure if it’s for them?
DM: Go for it. Specsavers might look huge from the outside, but the support is there, from your team and managers all the way up. It’s friendly and welcoming, and you’re never just a number.
EH: I’d say, if you’re even half thinking about it, just do a shadow day and see for yourself.
