Where can I get an eye test in North Shields?

You can book an NHS or private sight test at J.A. Hicks Optometrist on Nile Street, Specsavers in the Beacon Centre, or Vision Express inside the Tesco Extra on Norham Road. Adults should have a test at least every two years.

Is there an independent optician in North Shields?

Yes. J.A. Hicks Optometrist on Nile Street is a long-established independent of over forty years, offering NHS and private eye care, dispensing and a home-visit service.

Are children's eye tests free in North Shields?

Yes. NHS sight tests are free for children, and all the town's opticians can carry them out. If your child needs glasses, an NHS optical voucher helps with the cost.

Health

The Best Opticians in North Shields

From a long-established independent optometrist to town-centre chains, a guide to eye tests and glasses at the best opticians in North Shields.

North Shields.live·10 September 2026

Regular eye tests matter for more than just your vision: they can pick up early signs of wider health conditions too. North Shields is well served for eye care, with a long-standing independent optometrist in the town centre alongside familiar high-street names, so it is easy to book a sight test or update your glasses close to home. Here is our guide to the best opticians in North Shields.

J.A. Hicks Optometrist

For a personal, independent option, J.A. Hicks Optometrist on Nile Street has been caring for local eyes for more than forty years. It offers NHS and private sight tests, dispensing and a home-visit service, with a wheelchair-accessible testing room. As an established independent, its great strength is continuity, seeing the same familiar faces year after year.

Best for: Best for a trusted, long-established independent practice with home visits.

Specsavers North Shields

In the heart of the town, Specsavers in the Beacon Centre on Bedford Street is the busy high-street option, directly opposite the Metro. It provides NHS and private eye examinations, OCT eye-health scans, a huge range of frames across all budgets, contact lenses and in-store hearing care, with evening and weekend appointments and online booking.

Best for: Best for convenient town-centre appointments, wide frame choice and hearing care.

Vision Express at Tesco

On the western side of town, Vision Express inside the Tesco Extra on Norham Road combines an optician's practice with the supermarket's long opening hours and free parking. It offers NHS and private eye tests, OCT scans, and a broad range of designer and budget frames, making it easy to fit an eye test around the weekly shop.

Best for: Best for combining an eye test with the supermarket, and for long opening hours.

Choosing an optician

For most people it comes down to preference: an independent like J.A. Hicks offers continuity and a personal touch, while the chains offer convenience, wider opening hours and frames at every price point. Whichever you choose, adults should have a sight test at least every two years, or more often if advised, and children's eye tests are free on the NHS. If you or your child are entitled to NHS-funded tests or vouchers, all the practices above can advise.

Run an opticians in North Shields we should feature? Get in touch.