How to get your prescription
The optician where you are tested is legally obliged to provide you with a copy of your prescription after your eye test. If they don’t give you this, make sure you ask them.
If you already have a prescription then you can bring that in to us but please be aware that if it is older than 2 years, you will need to get your eyes re- examined before we can make new glasses for you as this is stipulated by the General Optical Council and the Association of Optometrists.
Do you need an eye test?
If you can say yes to any one of these questions, you might need one
Is it 2 years or more since you last had an eye test?
No matter how old you are, if you have not had your eyes tested within the last two years, you should schedule an eye examination. Even if you think that you have perfect vision, only a thorough eye test can confirm this and also at the same time assess the health of your eyes.
Is driving at night tiresome with or without spectacles?
If you are having trouble with glare when you are behind the wheel, it could be that you need a new prescription. This means it is important to book an eye test with an optometrist as soon as possible.
Do you suffer from dry eyes?
People with dry eyes may experience irritated, gritty, scratchy or burning eyes, a feeling of something in their eyes, excess watering and blurred vision. As part of the eye examination your optometrist checks for this and can advise how to restore or maintain the normal tear flow so that dryness is minimised and eye health maintained.
Is it getting difficult to read newspapers, restaurant menus and food labels?
Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eyes' ability to focus on nearby objects. It's a natural, often annoying part of aging. Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s and continues to worsen until around age 65.You may become aware of presbyopia when you start holding books and newspapers at arm's length to be able to read them..Ready readers may seem to correct the problem but they are simply magnifying lenses in a frame. Only a thorough eye examination will determine the correct prescription for both eyes.
Does anyone in your extended family suffer from glaucoma?
If you have any relatives within your extended family that suffers from, glaucoma or any other genetic eye condition, it is important that you have regular eye examinations. Indeed, if you have a parent, sibling or child with glaucoma and you are over 40 the NHS will fund your eye examination annually as it is important that you are screened.
Do you experience headaches after prolonged periods of computer work or reading etc?
Sometimes, vision difficulties aren’t caused by a permanent condition of the eye. Instead, these problems are caused by excessive use of vision, resulting in eye fatigue. Our modern lives include practically nonstop usage of smartphones, computers and similar devices – and that takes a toll on our eyes.
Your optometrist can advise you on how to relieve symptoms and sometimes an anti fatigue lens can help