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The Vision Van

Our award-winning Vision Van has travelled quite a few thousand miles since its first appearance in 2014. As a virtual ‘practice on wheels’, it’s been providing free eye tests for local communities in towns and cities the length and breadth of the UK.

But it seems all those miles have taken their toll. Which is why we’re now replacing the original Vision Van with a brand new one. And we’re planning to take it to more locations than ever before.

Although the look of the Vision Van has changed, its purpose remains very much the same: to break down the invisible barriers which prevent people caring for their vision.

Changing perception

As there are around 14 million people in the UK failing to have regular eye tests, another key objective of the Vision Van is to raise awareness, highlighting how important tests can be to both healthy vision and overall wellbeing.

Throughout the year, we’ll also be taking the Vision Van on the road in support of several awareness campaigns, such as World Glaucoma Week, Macular Week, National Eye Health Week and Road Safety Week. Encouragingly, every time we back such initiatives, we get people coming in for tests who otherwise wouldn’t have had any eyecare at all.

A man and a woman standing in front of a Vision Van.

What's inside?

The new Vision Van is a custom-built mobile eye testing unit comprising two examination rooms, two pre-screening rooms and a relaxing waiting area. It is equipped with the very latest optical technology, with tests undertaken by an expert Vision Express Optometrist.

All eye examinations on the Vision Van include optical coherence tomography – complex wording for what is, basically, an ultrasound examination for the eye. The procedure takes just a few seconds, but can help detect eye conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. In fact, it can pick up on potentially damaging problems up to five years earlier than more traditional tests.

A woman having her eyes checked by an optometrist.

The best things in life are free

Taking vision seriously, we believe an eye test is one of the best ways of making sure your sight can last a lifetime. However, we’re fully aware that affordability can be an issue for some, with around 37% of people putting off having a test due to the cost. That’s why every comprehensive eye test carried out on the new Vision Van is absolutely free. And always will be.

If you don’t have time to spare when we visit a location near you, you don’t have to miss out on your free eye test. Just pop along to the Vision Van and pick up a voucher entitling you to a free test at one of our stores.