Pay what you want sight test campaign

Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care has launched a Pay what you want campaign for people to experience its ‘ultimate’ eye test that normally costs up to £69.

Believed to be the first optical campaign of its kind, the initiative for April is taking place in 11 selected practices. It aims to encourage adults to have the company’s ‘ultimate’ eye examination, which includes optical coherence tomography (OCT).

The company is highlighting that it checks for various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and other health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

People can make an appointment at one of the participating practices for the 45-minute eye examination and pay what they feel it is worth to them.

Chief executive of Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, Ryan Leighton, helped devise the campaign as part of the company’s ‘for life’ ethos.

Mr Leighton said: “We believe great eyesight and strong health is priceless. We truly believe in our ‘for life’ philosophy, where we care for people’s sight and hearing so they can live life as fully as possible. That is why we can stand by our Pay what you want campaign.

“This is not about giving away something for free, it’s about raising awareness of the importance of eye health and in our case providing people with the opportunity to experience the ultimate eye examination, but in a way where they get to choose to pay what it’s worth.”

Senior optometrist at Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, Bryony Allen (pictured), said she believes that once people have tried the company’s ‘ultimate’ eye examination, they will realise its value.

“We want more people to recognise that we offer something different and more thorough. This is about all-round health and wellbeing and not just getting your eyes tested for a new prescription,” said Ms Allen.

The eye examination normally costs £69 for private patients or a £40 upgrade from the free NHS-funded eye test.

The company has 34 practices throughout the South of England. The practices participating in the campaign are: Reading, Woodley, Thatcham, Andover, Basingstoke, Alton, Wokingham, Camberley, Fleet, Tadley and Chandlers Ford.