EYE TEST
Expert Service
Every sight test is tailor-made depending on your needs. As well as an eye health check, your sight test might detect signs of underlying general health conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Everyone should have a sight test every two years, or more often if your optometrist recommends it.
OCT SCAN:
Optical Coherence Tomography
An OCT scan is a supplementary test to view the health of your eyes in greater detail. It allows us to see what is going on beneath the surface in the different layers of the eye.
This is a non-invasive imaging test that use light waves to produce cross-section images of your retinal nerves and macula, lasting approximately 5-10 minutes.
The OCT scan can help with early diagnosis of many eye conditions before you have any symptoms including;
- Glaucoma
- Macular hole
- Vitreous traction
- Macular pucker
- Macular edema
- Diabetic retinopathy
The images can then be compared year on year allowing us to notice even the smallest of changes helping to protect the health of your eyes and prevent any potential sight loss.
* A small charge applies. Please ask a member of the team for details
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SIGHT TEST?
Your optometrist will check what you can see – close up and in the distance – usually using special charts of symbols or letters. This may be with or without your glasses. They will then work out whether you need glasses or a change of prescription with a series of tests using different lenses. This will also involve simple questions and you should try to answer these as accurately and honestly as you can. There are no right or wrong answers, so don’t worry.
For those who are unable to answer these questions, there are other ways of working out a glasses prescription. This is particularly useful for young children or those with learning difficulties or special educational needs. Your optometrist will also carry out tests on your eye muscles to check how your eyes are working together.
WHAT WILL THE OPTOMETRIST ASK ME?
Your optometrist will ask detailed questions about your eyesight, lifestyle, health and any previous eye problems you or family members may have had. You should bring a list of any medication you take, along with your glasses if you use them, or a previous glasses prescription.
HOW DO YOU CHECK MY EYE HEALTH?
Your optometrist will examine the inside and outside of your eyes. They will tell you if there are any signs of disease or injury. Occasionally your optometrist will need to put drops in your eyes to get a better view of the back of your eye but they will explain this before doing so.
Sometimes it may be necessary to check your peripheral (or side) vision using a special instrument. This tests for certain conditions of the eyes or the visual parts of your brain. You may also need an eye-pressure test, which is one of the procedures used to detect glaucoma.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
There will be time to talk through the results of your sight test and ask questions. Your optometrist will advise you if you need glasses and make recommendations about the type. They will also tell you if they find any problems with your eyes. If there is something which needs further medical checks, the optometrist will write to your doctor or the eye hospital for you. They will give you a written statement of your results which includes your glasses prescription if you need one. They will also tell you how often you should go for a sight test. The optometrist is also someone who can tell you about how to keep your eyes healthy.
You can ring and talk to an optical advisor at any time if you have any further questions.
COMMON EYE CONDITIONS
Click the links below or watch one of the videos to find out more information on common eye conditions. Remember if you have any concerns about your eyes please give us a call and we can advise you further.
