All eye tests are different, depending on individual needs and health. A regular eye test will usually consist of the following:
• A general check-up and conversation which will discuss your general vision, health and lifestyle
• An eye test, which is focused on making sure your eyesight is at its best by checking any change your prescription might need.
• If you would like to try contact lenses, you will also be asked to book a contact lens fitting appointment.
Usually no longer than 20 minutes.
An eye test can be very useful to check your sight and any changes in your vision. Also, an eye test checks the health of your eyes. Here is a list of some of the conditions which can be detected in a routine eye test.
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Autoimmune disorders
• High cholesterol
• Thyroid disease
• Tumors
• Cancer
It is recommended that people over 16 years old have an eye test every 2 years. However, it might differ depending if you have an existing medical condition. It can also depend on your age. If you are over 60 years old, it is recommended to get an eye test once a year as you may be at greater risk of developing eye conditions.
A very small change in your correction can have an impact on your vision and health. These small changes can occur gradually, without being noticed. This is the same for both sight changes but also for eye conditions, which usually develop over time.
These can be hard to detect without eye tests. That's why we recommend you book an eye test with your optician every 2 years, rather than take an online eye test or a home eye test: It's a great way to make sure that your prescription matches your vision as precisely as possible.
The contact lens fitting requires a dedicated appointment, separate from the eye test. You can find everything you need to know about it on our handy contact lens fitting appointment guide.
The pre-test is a simple routine conversation. It is usually carried out by an optical assistant who will ask you a series of questions to get to know your health and lifestyle better. Some of the questions they might ask you are:
• Do you take any medication?
• Do you already have a prescription? And if so, do you already wear glasses?
• Do you have any eye health issues or genetic health history such as glaucoma?
• Do you have any issues or concerns with your current vision?
From this, the optical assistant will:
• Check the pressure of your eye by blowing a small puff of air into each eye with the optometer. The optometer is the machine that looks a bit like big glasses with rotary lenses. It allows to check your eyes health and to assess your risk of developing glaucoma. Don't worry if you blink, it will hydrate your eye and allow the optical assistant to have a better look at your eye.
• To check your eyes muscles, you will be asked to look at different targets in the room through the machine's goggles.
• The optician assistant might also take a picture of the back of your eye thanks to digital retinal photography, a special camera that allows to get a high resolution vision of the inside of your eye. It's a good way to keep track of the health of your eyes.
• The next stage will involve the use of a machine called autorefractor, this one looks a bit like an old computer and is designed to measure short-sightedness.
The second stage of the appointment happens with the optometrist, it's usually the longest part, as the optometrist will check the health of your eyes. This is to determine if you are experiencing any vision problems and to discuss your general eye health, prescription and lifestyle.
Some of the equipment the optometrists may use in this stage include a retinoscope to get an accurate measurement of your vision.
This tool looks a bit like a stick and projects light in your eye. It might seem familiar to you if you ever had an eye test as a kid since it is often used in children's eye test. It's also of great use for people who may not be able to easily discuss their vision and eye health.
Always remember, in an eye test, there is no right or wrong answer. You need to say what you are feeling and seeing. So don't feel bad if you can't read the letters on the board. Honesty is key to help the optometrist to ensure they are providing you with the best possible solutions to help aid your vision.
Which conditions can be detected with an eye test?
Eye tests can detect a wide range of health issues.
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Autoimmune disorders
• High cholesterol
• Thyroid disease
• Tumors
• Cancer
So it's important to get an eye test every two years or so, not only for your eyes but also for general health and wellbeing.
You can get a regular eye test with your eye doctor or at any optician. The fitting itself can also happen at any optician, you can usually book these online.
Prices can vary with eye tests and some opticians offer free examinations or discounted ones. You can usually find this information online via their website. You could also ring your local optician to find out more about pricing.