Aim To investigate characteristics associated with screening positive for depressive symptoms among older adults accessing low‐vision rehabilitation and eye‐care services and to determine client acceptability of depression screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire‐2 (PHQ‐2) in these settings. Methods One‐hundred and twenty‐four older adults (mean = 77.02 years, SD = 9.12) attending low‐vision rehabilitation and eye‐care services across Australia were screened for depression and invited to complete a telephone‐administered questionnaire to determine characteristics associated with depressive symptoms and client acceptability of screening in these settings. Results Thirty‐seven per cent (n = 46/124) of participants screened positive for depressive symptoms, and the majority considered the new depression screening method to be a ‘good idea’ in vision services (85%). Severe vision loss (<6/60 in the better eye) was associated with an increased odds of screening positive for depressive symptoms (odds ratio 2.37; 95% confidence interval 1.08–6.70) even after adjusting for potential confounders. Participants who screened positive had a preference for ‘talking’ therapy or a combination of medication and ‘talking therapy’ delivered within their own home (73%) or via telephone (67%). Conclusion The PHQ‐2 appears to be an acceptable method for depression screening in eye‐care settings among older adults. Targeted interventions that incorporate home‐based or telephone delivered therapy sessions may improve outcomes for depression in this group.