How much does an eye test cost in South Africa?
By See Better · Updated · 5 min read
The short answer
A standard eye test in South Africa usually costs between about R300 and R700 in 2026, depending on the practice and how much is included. See Better charges R450 for an eye test at your home in Gauteng, and most medical aids pay for a test once every benefit cycle.
Key points
- Expect to pay roughly R300 to R700 for a standard eye test at a practice.
- A "free" eye test is usually tied to buying glasses from the same shop.
- Medical aid normally pays for one eye test per person per benefit cycle, often every 24 months.
- See Better's eye test at home is R450, with glasses packages from R1199.
What an eye test costs in 2026
There is no fixed national price for an eye test. Each practice sets its own fee, so prices differ from one optometrist to the next. As a guide, most South Africans paying cash can expect a standard eye test to cost somewhere between about R300 and R700. Extra scans, such as photographs of the back of the eye, can push the total higher.
You will also see adverts for very cheap or free eye tests. These are usually offered on condition that you buy your glasses at the same place, and a fee often applies if you want to take the written prescription elsewhere. That can still be good value. Just compare the price of the whole job, test and glasses together, rather than the test alone.
What is included in the price
A proper eye test is more than reading letters off a chart. For the fee you should get:
- a conversation about your sight, your health and any problems you have noticed
- a measurement of how well each eye sees, at distance and up close
- a refraction, which is the "is it clearer with one or two?" part that finds your prescription
- checks of how your eyes focus and work together
- an examination of the health of your eyes
- your results explained, and a written prescription if you need glasses
What happens during an eye test walks through each step.
What See Better charges
See Better is a mobile practice, so the price includes the optometrist travelling to you. These are our cash prices:
| What you get | Cash price |
|---|---|
| Eye test at home | R450 |
| Eye test, frame and single vision lenses with a tint | R1199 |
| Eye test, frame and bifocal lenses with a tint | R1699 |
| Eye test, frame and multifocal lenses with a tint | R2099 |
All glasses carry a 1-year warranty. If you are not sure which lens type you need, single vision, bifocal and multifocal lenses compared explains the difference.
How medical aid pays for an eye test
If your medical scheme has an optical benefit, it normally pays for one eye test per person per benefit cycle. On many plans that cycle is 24 months, and on some it is 12. The test is usually paid in full at the scheme's rate when you use an optometrist who charges medical aid tariffs.
Hospital plans often have no optical benefit at all. Plans with a medical savings account may pay for the test from your savings instead. See Better is registered with most medical aids and charges at medical aid tariffs. For the details to check on your own plan, read does medical aid cover eye tests and glasses?
What makes one eye test cost more than another
- Extra tests. Retinal photographs, visual field tests and contact lens fittings are usually charged separately.
- Where the practice is. Rent in a large shopping centre is part of what you pay.
- Convenience. A test at your home or office saves you the travel and the time off work.
- What is bundled. A higher test fee with affordable glasses can cost less overall than a free test with expensive lenses.
Is the cheapest eye test good enough?
The price matters less than who does the test and what they check. Whoever you choose, make sure the person testing your eyes is an optometrist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and that the test includes a look at the health of your eyes and not only a prescription check. Optometrist, ophthalmologist or optician? explains who does what and how to check a registration.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an eye test at home in Gauteng?
See Better charges R450 for an eye test at your home, workplace, school or event anywhere in Gauteng. The price is the same whether you are in Johannesburg, Pretoria, the East Rand, the West Rand or the Vaal.
Is an eye test free with medical aid?
If your plan has an optical benefit, the scheme usually pays for one eye test per person every benefit cycle, so you pay nothing at an optometrist who charges medical aid rates. If you have used the benefit already, or your plan has no optical cover, you pay the cash price.
How much do an eye test and glasses cost together?
At See Better a complete pair of glasses, including the eye test, the frame and tinted lenses, costs R1199 with single vision lenses, R1699 with bifocals and R2099 with multifocals. Elsewhere the total depends heavily on the frame and lenses you choose.
Why do some shops offer free eye tests?
A free test is a way to bring customers in to buy glasses. It is usually only free if you buy your glasses there, and a fee may apply for a copy of your prescription. Ask what the test includes and what happens if you decide not to buy.
This article is general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes or your sight, see an optometrist or a doctor. Sudden loss of vision, eye injuries and severe eye pain are emergencies.
