Sight Test

Are they important?

Like visiting the dentist, a visit to see an optometrist (optician) should be a normal part of our healthcare routine. Many eye diseases creep up on us very slowly and the best way to pick these up is through regular eye examinations by an optometrist. Also we can become accustomed to our level of vision and it can be surprising how much of an improvement can be made with new glasses or contact lenses.

What tests do we do?

History and symptoms- Our optometrist will have a good chat with you to discover exactly why you have come to see us and any concerns that you may have so we can try and explain and solve these problems. We will discuss your work, your lifestyle, your general health and any medication taken. General health and medication taken are important to the optometrist as lots of general problems can show themselves in the eyes and many medications have side effects that can affect your eyes. We will also discuss your family history as this will give us an idea of how 'at risk' you are of certain conditions.

Ophthalmoscopy-We use a bright torch to examine the inside of your eyes. In many cases, the optometrist will feel this is not a thorough enough examination for you and will suggest using extra painless equipment for a better look such as Volk lens examination, fundus photography or OCT.

Vision  and refraction-We will measure what you can see with glasses, without glasses and then work out what your new prescription is and show you any improvement that could be made.

Supplementary tests-All our eye examinations are tailored to you so no two examinations are identical. Following your regular eye examination we may carry out OCT or fundus photography (see below) or Humphrey Visual Field Assessment to map your peripheral vision.

What happens after?

At the end of your examination our optometrist will discuss their findings in a language that won't confuse you. They will explain any further tests that need to be carried out and advise you whether you need new glasses. If we decide that new glasses are necessary, we will pass you to one of our experienced and friendly dispensing opticians to help you choose a frame and take the all important measurements to make sure the glasses are exactly right for you.
So, if you've not had a test before, have any concerns, or you'd just like your eyes checked again, give us a ring.