Free eye test or paid? Eye test prices in 2026

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

A free or nominally priced eye test at an optician's is usually conditional on buying glasses or contact lenses: the test then costs around PLN 9. Without a purchase, an eye test at an optician's most often costs PLN 125 (typically PLN 100 ‑ 159), while an ophthalmology consultation at a clinic costs around PLN 300.

The words “free eye test” appear in the windows of many opticians. Sometimes it really is a gift, and sometimes it is part of the price of the glasses you pay for at the till. We compare how much an eye test costs at different providers, when a free test is worthwhile, and when it is better to pay for the test alone and buy glasses elsewhere.

Do free eye tests exist?

Free eye tests at opticians do exist, but they are usually conditional on buying glasses or contact lenses from the same shop. In the price lists we collected, a test when purchasing contact lenses costs around PLN 9, while one optician lists a similarly nominal price when purchasing glasses. Without a purchase, the same optician charges the full price.

Occasional free eye tests are also available, for example as part of preventive healthcare campaigns, school screening programmes for children, or programmes for older people. It is worth checking announcements from your municipality (gmina) and local clinic. Under the NFZ (Polish public health insurance), eye examinations are performed by an ophthalmologist. It is best to ask the selected clinic about referral requirements and waiting times.

How much does an eye test at an optician’s cost without buying glasses?

An eye test at an optician’s without buying glasses most often costs PLN 125, according to 5 price lists and guides collected by indekscen.pl, with a typical range of PLN 100 ‑ 159. The cheapest offers start at PLN 50, while one large chain charges PLN 199 for a test with no purchase required. The price usually includes a medical history, a visual acuity test and selection of the appropriate prescription. Details are available at eye test at an optician's.

Here are the prices by provider and applicable conditions:

Where and under what conditions	Typical price	What it usually includes
Optician’s, test when buying glasses or contact lenses	around PLN 9	selecting the prescription for the glasses ordered
Optician’s, eye test only	PLN 100 ‑ 159	measuring the refractive error and selecting the prescription
Ophthalmology clinic, consultation with an eye test	PLN 280 ‑ 375	medical eye examination, including the back of the eye
Eye OCT scan	PLN 225 ‑ 250	retinal or optic nerve scan with a report

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

When is a free eye test worthwhile?

A free eye test is worthwhile if you already plan to buy glasses from that optician and the prices of the frames and lenses are comparable with competitors. It is not worthwhile if the glasses are clearly more expensive there, as the PLN 125 saved can easily be lost through the price of the lenses.

Before deciding, check a few things:

1. Will you receive the test results in writing? Without them, you cannot compare offers from other opticians.
2. How much do lenses with the coatings you need cost? They usually make the biggest difference to the bill.
3. Is the test free only when buying a complete pair, meaning the frames and lenses, or also when fitting new lenses into your own frames?
4. Does the price include a check-up after collecting your glasses? Good opticians check whether the lenses have been centred correctly.

Is it worth having an eye test at an optician’s?

It is worth having an eye test with an optician or optometrist if you need glasses or contact lenses and your eyes are not painful or red, and your vision has not suddenly deteriorated. An optician will measure the refractive error and select the appropriate prescription, but is not a doctor: they cannot diagnose eye diseases or prescribe medication.

You should see an ophthalmologist if your vision suddenly deteriorates or you experience flashes, floaters or eye pain, as well as if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of glaucoma. An ophthalmology consultation at a private clinic usually costs PLN 280 ‑ 375. A detailed comparison of the two appointments is available in the article ophthalmologist or optician. If you have any symptoms, decide which professional to see in consultation with a doctor.

What does an eye test at an optician’s include?

An eye test at an optician’s usually includes a medical history, distance and near visual acuity tests, and selection of the appropriate prescription, meaning the lens powers. Opticians most often charge PLN 100 ‑ 159 for this scope of examination. A typical test proceeds as follows:

1. Medical history: how long you have worn glasses, which tasks make it harder for you to see, and whether your eyes or head hurt.
2. Measuring your current glasses with a device to compare their prescription with the new result.
3. Objective examination using an autorefractor, which provides an initial measurement of the refractive error.
4. Subjective examination using an eye chart and a phoropter or trial lens set.
5. Checking binocular vision and selecting a near-vision prescription if required.
6. Discussing the results and recording the prescription parameters.

An optician’s cannot perform medical examinations such as examining the back of the eye after dilating the pupils or conducting an OCT scan. If the optician notices anything concerning, they should refer you to an ophthalmologist.

How long does an eye test take?

An eye test at an optician’s usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. A contact lens fitting may take even longer because the lenses need to be tried on and their fit assessed. An appointment with an ophthalmologist involving pupil dilation takes longer, and you should not drive for several hours afterwards.

Bring your current glasses to the test. If you wear contact lenses, ask when booking how long before the appointment you should remove them.

When booking a free test, also check who will perform it. Opticians and optometrists work at optical shops, while some also have ophthalmologists available on designated days. An appointment with a doctor at an optician’s may be charged separately even if an optometrist’s eye test is free when buying glasses.

Which costs more: frames or lenses?

Spectacle lenses often cost more than frames, particularly for strong prescriptions, progressive lenses or additional coatings, such as anti-reflective coatings, blue-light filters or photochromic lenses. As a result, a “free eye test” at an optician’s selling expensive lenses may cost more overall than a paid test followed by buying lenses elsewhere.

If your frames are in good condition, you can have new lenses fitted. Fitting alone (replacement of spectacle lenses) usually costs PLN 35 ‑ 57 per lens, plus the price of the spectacle lenses. If the frames are damaged, glasses repair may be cheaper than buying new ones: tightening a screw costs around PLN 20, while soldering metal frames costs around PLN 90.

How can you avoid overpaying for an eye test and glasses?

• Compare the cost of the complete pair, not just the test. Add up the test, frames, lenses and coatings.
• Ask for your test results, including the prescription parameters. You are entitled to them if you paid for the test.
• Ask for the coatings you need, rather than packages containing everything.
• Have your eyes tested regularly, usually once every year or two. Children and people with progressive refractive errors should be tested more often, as recommended by a specialist.
• Do not treat an online test as an eye examination. It may indicate a change, but it cannot replace an appointment.

„Badanie wzroku u optyka zazwyczaj kosztuje od około 50 do 150 zł.”

optykwnecie.pl, source

„Podstawowe badania kosztują średnio od 100 do 150 zł”

opticalchristex.pl, source

„badanie wzroku 30min / koszt 159 pln/ przy zakupie okularów 9 pln”

optyktrendy.pl, source

„199 zł bez konieczności zakupu soczewek kontaktowych za kwotę 199 zł.”

Vision Express, 2026-11, source

You can find more prices for medical services in the health category, and ophthalmology consultation prices at eye test.

The prices in this article come from public price lists published by opticians and ophthalmology clinics. Each price on the how much does an eye test cost page includes its source, date and a verbatim quotation. This article is not a substitute for medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is a free eye test really free?

Darmowe badanie wzroku w salonie optycznym zwykle wiąże się z zakupem okularów albo soczewek w tym samym miejscu. Jeśli nie kupisz okularów, salon może policzyć zwykłą cenę badania, najczęściej PLN 100 ‑ 159.

Can I have my eyes tested at one optician's and buy glasses elsewhere?

Tak, po płatnym badaniu wzroku masz prawo do wyniku z parametrami korekcji i możesz z nim kupić okulary gdzie indziej. Takie badanie kosztuje zwykle PLN 100 ‑ 159, więc zapytaj od razu, czy wynik dostaniesz na piśmie.

How much does a private OCT scan cost?

Badanie OCT oka kosztuje prywatnie zwykle PLN 225 ‑ 250, mediana z cenników placówek to PLN 250. OCT robi się w gabinetach okulistycznych, zwykle na zlecenie lekarza.

Can an online eye test replace a visit to an optician?

Test wzroku online może pomóc zauważyć, że coś się zmieniło, ale nie zastępuje badania u optyka ani okulisty, bo nie mierzy dokładnie wady i nie ocenia stanu oka. Do doboru okularów potrzebne jest badanie w gabinecie, zwykle za PLN 100 ‑ 159.

How much does it cost to replace lenses in old frames?

Sama wymiana szkła w posiadanej oprawce kosztuje zwykle PLN 35 ‑ 57 za sztukę, a do tego dochodzi cena nowych soczewek okularowych. Aktualne badanie wzroku przed zamówieniem szkieł jest potrzebne, jeśli poprzednie jest nieaktualne.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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