From the test room to the open road: Eleanor’s journey into home visits

After nearly three decades in optics, Eleanor Hickman knew it was time for a change. But it wasn’t just any change – it was one that would take her out of the test room and into the homes of patients across Aberdeenshire and beyond. 

A calling from the age of 11 

Eleanor’s journey into optometry started early. “I went for my first eye test when I was 11 because I couldn’t see the board at school,” she says. “I’d always been terrified of doctors and dentists, but I found the eye test fascinating. That was it – I decided I wanted to be an optometrist.” 
And she stuck to it. By 16, she was working in the opticians next to her school. Fast forward to today, and she’s been qualified for 28 years, with experience across multiples, independents, and even a leadership role at a large Scottish group. 

A new chapter with Specsavers Home Visits 

After 10 years with her previous employer, Eleanor made the leap to Specsavers Home Visits in May 2025. “It was a big decision,” she admits. “I worked with some amazing people, and it was emotional to leave. But sometimes, you just know it’s time to move on.” 

What drew her in? “It wasn’t just that it was Specsavers – it was the home visits. I wanted to do something different, something that really helps people who need it most.” 

Busting the myths 

Like many optometrists, Eleanor had her reservations about domiciliary care. “It scared me a bit,” she says. “You’re out of your comfort zone. You don’t know what kind of environment you’re walking into. But the truth is, there’s not a huge difference in the patient demographic – and with experience, you realise you’ve seen most things before.” 

A shadow day helped ease her nerves. “I went out with Derek, one of the partners in Aberdeen – we were actually at uni together! I came home and said, ‘You know what? That was actually quite fun.’” 

Seeing the difference 

Now, Eleanor covers a wide patch – from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to Elgin, Inverness, and even the Isle of Skye. But thanks to the smart scheduling (by local schedulers) and a supportive team, it’s far from overwhelming. 

Her routes are thoughtfully planned to make the most of each day. “Sometimes I’ll be in one town all day, like Fraserburgh, and then head home. Other times I’ll start in Aberdeen and work my way back down towards home. It’s really well organised – and some days you get home early.” 

And the travel has its perks. “I’ve lived in Aberdeenshire since 1999, but I’m still discovering new places. The sat nav takes me on routes I never knew existed!” 

A team that feels like home 

From the moment she joined, Eleanor felt supported. “The recruitment and onboarding were brilliant – efficient, transparent, no nonsense. And the team in Aberdeen has been amazing. I even got invited to a team-building day before I officially started!” 

She’s also had access to plenty of training, from webinars to CPD through Specsavers e-learning. “There’s always something going on, and everyone’s willing to help.” 

Advice for others 

For anyone considering a move into home visits, Eleanor’s advice is simple: “Try it. Do a shadow day. Keep an open mind. There are so many positives – weekends off, great pay, and the chance to really make a difference.”

And for those early in their careers? “It might not be the first step, but I think more exposure during training would help. It’s not what you think of when you go into optics, but it could appeal to so many more people if they knew what it was really like.” 

Feeling valued 

Just a few months in, Eleanor already feels at home. “I feel like I matter. People have listened to my feedback, made changes, and checked in to see how I’m doing. That means a lot.”