FAQs

Main FAQ

• Who should have an eye examination?

  Everybody should have a routine eye test at regular intervals. It is a thorough assessment of the health of your eyes and can be a great insight into your general health too. It is also the best way to ensure your vision is as good as it can be.

• When should I have an eye examination?

  For children aged 4-16 this is typically on an annual basis, and adults are typically advised every two years. There are instances where this may be more frequent based on your health or risk factors such as family history.

• Do I pay for an eye examination?

  We welcome both private and NHS patients. You will qualify for a free NHS sight test if you are; under 19 and in full time education, are over 60, receive certain benefits, suffer from glaucoma or diabetes, are over 40 and have a direct relative with glaucoma, require a complex spectacle prescription, or are registered as visually impaired. If you are unsure as to your eligibility, please feel free to get in touch.
  

• Can I “just buy” contact lenses?

  If you already wear contact lenses, and have both a sight test and contact lens check that are up-to-date, then you can be supplied contact lenses. If you are new to contact lenses, you would need to book an initial assessment where the most appropriate products for your needs can be discussed and trialled. Please see the Contact Lenses section of our website or get in touch if you wish to enquire.

Professional Roles

• Optometrist

  Your optometrist is a highly skilled professional who will thoroughly examine your eyes. During a sight test, your optometrist will test your vision as well as the health of your eyes, prescribing glasses and contact lenses where necessary.
  
  Their qualifications:
  Optometrists have extensive training for at least four years and must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC), the governing body.
  

• Dispensing Optician (DO)

  Unlike many practices, all our DOs are fully qualified. They are highly trained to provide you with advice on the most suitable frames, lenses and coatings.
  They will advise you on the best options for your lifestyle, occupation, hobbies and suitability of your prescription, to make sure your glasses work and fit as well as possible. They will also give you advice on how to best use and care for your glasses.
  
  Their qualifications
  Registered dispensing opticians must complete at least three years of academic and practical training and must be registered with the GOC.
  

• Contact Lens Optician (CLO)

  Some Dispensing Optician’s choose to take a further qualification allowing them to fit and prescribe contact lenses as well as spectacles.

• Other Eye Care Professionals…

  If you need treatment for common eye conditions, such as cataracts, you may be referred to a specialist in eye disease called an ophthalmologist.
  
  For problems relating to the eye muscles or visual development, you may be referred to an orthoptist.

Glossary of Terms

• Astigmatism

  Occurs when the front surface of the eye or its internal lens is elliptical (rugby ball shaped) instead of spherical (football shaped). It can be observed in conjunction with long or short-sightedness.

• Bifocal

  A lens with two areas, one of which is more powerful than the other. Usually one area focuses in the distance, the other at closer distances.

• Fundus

  The inner aspect of the posterior (back) of the eye. A fundus examination includes a view of the retina, retinal blood vessels, and optic nerve head.

• Hypermetropia / hyperopia

  Long or farsightedness. A person with long-sightedness will find that their distance vision is generally better than their near vision

• Myopia

  Short or near-sightedness. A person who is short sighted has near vision that is relatively better than distance vision. Rays of light focus in front of the retina.

• Presbyopia

  Is the technical term for reduction in accommodation of the eye due to the natural ageing process. It typically prevents focussing at shorter distances.

• Posterior Vitreous Detachment

  See flashes and floaters.

• Retina

  The innermost layer of the eye. Its cells convert light into nerve signals that are sent to the brain to be interpreted as visual images.

• Toric lens

  A curved lens on which one of the surfaces has two powers intended to correct astigmatism.

• Varifocal

  A lens having more than two focal powers.

• Visual field (field of vision)

  That portion of space in which objects are visible at the same time without movement of the eye.

Common Eye Conditions

Here are some Association of Optometrist (AOP) patient guidance leaflets for various common eye conditions. Please feel free to use these for reference and interest, but any concerns should be addressed with an appointment.