Are you Eligible for a Free NHS Eye Test ?
In Wales, free extended eye examinations are also permitted for certain conditions. Ask for details.
In Wales, free extended eye examinations are also permitted for certain conditions. Ask for details.
Your Eye Test explained
Your eyes will be examined both externally and internally. This will enable an assessment to be made of the health of your eyes and may identify any other underlying medical problems.
The interior of your eye will be examined using an ophthalmoscope, a special torch which shines a light through the pupil allowing a detailed study of the internal structures. Your pupil reflexes will also be tested. Other tests which may be carried out, if necessary, include for example those for glaucoma or colour vision deficiency. Extra tests are also needed for contact lens fitting and check-ups.
Testing for Glaucoma
If you are over 40, the College of Optometrists recommends you should be checked to make sure you are not developing glaucoma. If you have glaucoma you will not normally notice until some sight has already been lost.
The interior of your eye will be examined using an ophthalmoscope, a special torch which shines a light through the pupil allowing a detailed study of the internal structures. Your pupil reflexes will also be tested. Other tests which may be carried out, if necessary, include for example those for glaucoma or colour vision deficiency. Extra tests are also needed for contact lens fitting and check-ups.
Testing for Glaucoma
If you are over 40, the College of Optometrists recommends you should be checked to make sure you are not developing glaucoma. If you have glaucoma you will not normally notice until some sight has already been lost.
Your Eye Examination
Ten reasons why you should have an eye test! (click to go to link)
An eye examination usually takes about 20-30 minutes (but may take longer if extra tests are required). As well as testing your sight, the health of your eyes will be checked and signs of general health problems can also be detected.
We now offer Optical Coherence Tomography to check for and monitor potentially serious
conditions. There may a small additional cost for this service.
Using a digital retinal camera, we can take a photograph of the back of your eye. This allows us to diagnose a number of common eye conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. This scan is non-invasive, simple and quick. What's more, this image will be stored on our computer - so we can monitor any changes in the condition of your retina with every eye test. This gives us an important ongoing record of the health and condition of your eyes.
The examination will normally include the following elements:
History and symptoms
At the start of the eye examination, you will be asked why you are having your eyes examined, whether it is a routine check-up or if you have come because you are experiencing any visual problems. If you are experiencing problems with your eyes or vision, your will then be asked what symptoms you have, how long you have had them and whether any changes have happened suddenly or slowly over a period of time.
Your optometrist will also need to know about your general health including any medication you are taking, whether you suffer from headaches, or have any close relatives with a history of eye problems. You will be asked about your previous spectacles or contact lenses. Additional information, including your occupation, whether you play sports or have any hobbies may also be requested to help make an accurate assessment.
Understanding Your Prescription - there are 3 parts to your prescription:-
The first is known as the sphere and determines whether the patient is long sighted or short sighted. If this number is negative, the patient is short sighted, since a minus lens is required to correct their vision.
If the number is positive, the patient is long sighted. This means a plus lens is needed to correct their vision. The sphere is measured in dioptres, and the number here will be followed by DS if the patient has no astigmatism.
The second and third components are the cylinder (abbreviated to cyl) and axis. These are related to the degree of astigmatism. The cylinder represents the power of the astigmatic lens required to correct the vision and is measured in dioptres,
The axis represents the orientation of the power within the glasses. This will vary between 1 and 180 and has the unit degrees. The size of the axis number does not determine how good or bad someone’s vision is.
An eye examination usually takes about 20-30 minutes (but may take longer if extra tests are required). As well as testing your sight, the health of your eyes will be checked and signs of general health problems can also be detected.
We now offer Optical Coherence Tomography to check for and monitor potentially serious
conditions. There may a small additional cost for this service.
Using a digital retinal camera, we can take a photograph of the back of your eye. This allows us to diagnose a number of common eye conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. This scan is non-invasive, simple and quick. What's more, this image will be stored on our computer - so we can monitor any changes in the condition of your retina with every eye test. This gives us an important ongoing record of the health and condition of your eyes.
The examination will normally include the following elements:
History and symptoms
At the start of the eye examination, you will be asked why you are having your eyes examined, whether it is a routine check-up or if you have come because you are experiencing any visual problems. If you are experiencing problems with your eyes or vision, your will then be asked what symptoms you have, how long you have had them and whether any changes have happened suddenly or slowly over a period of time.
Your optometrist will also need to know about your general health including any medication you are taking, whether you suffer from headaches, or have any close relatives with a history of eye problems. You will be asked about your previous spectacles or contact lenses. Additional information, including your occupation, whether you play sports or have any hobbies may also be requested to help make an accurate assessment.
Understanding Your Prescription - there are 3 parts to your prescription:-
The first is known as the sphere and determines whether the patient is long sighted or short sighted. If this number is negative, the patient is short sighted, since a minus lens is required to correct their vision.
If the number is positive, the patient is long sighted. This means a plus lens is needed to correct their vision. The sphere is measured in dioptres, and the number here will be followed by DS if the patient has no astigmatism.
The second and third components are the cylinder (abbreviated to cyl) and axis. These are related to the degree of astigmatism. The cylinder represents the power of the astigmatic lens required to correct the vision and is measured in dioptres,
The axis represents the orientation of the power within the glasses. This will vary between 1 and 180 and has the unit degrees. The size of the axis number does not determine how good or bad someone’s vision is.