Housebound offered 'low cost' eye care

The crowded internet arena for cut-price deals has taken another twist with the launch of a 'low cost' domiciliary service.

Home Vision Care is the brainchild of optometrist Chris Gould who is also offering optical professionals franchising deals linked to his new venture.

This week he told Optician that housebound purchasers of eye tests and spectacles 'had the right to know exactly what their glasses would cost before they made an appointment for a home eye test'.

'At the moment it is difficult for the housebound customer to find out what their glasses are going to cost before the eye test visit,' he said.
'I feel that there is not enough competition at present among providers of home eye care, that the customer is in a weak position and can end up paying more than they expected, which can be distressing.'

Gould, who is registered in North Wales as a Specsavers practitioner, stated that his business is a low cost-base company with no 'expensive high street shops, expensive TV advertising or a large head office building' so it can pass on savings to the customer. 

'We offer free NHS glasses, and also for the non-exempt customer we offer single focus glasses from £22.50, bifocals from £46.40 and varifocals from £70.'
He has portable equipment and aims to provide an eye examination 'of comparable quality to a high street
optician'.

'I plan to grow the business by offering franchise opportunities to optometrists in other areas,' he said.
'I know that many optometrists are feeling depressed by falling salary levels and would be interested in this opportunity to run their own business from home, providing value for money domiciliary eye care within the Home Vision Care format.'

Practitioners interested in the venture should log on to www.homevisioncare.com