Why are eye exams important?
Regular eye exams are important for maintaining good eye health, as they can detect and diagnose a wide range of eye conditions and diseases.
An eye exam can detect visual acuity problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, which can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Eye exams can also detect early signs of serious eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
How long does the test usually last?
| Type of appointment | Length of appointment |
|---|---|
| Standard private eye exam | 30 minutes |
| NHS eye exam | 30 minutes |
| Advanced eye exam (OCT Scans) | 45 minutes |
| Full fields / OCT Scans | 15 minutes |
| Children’s eye exam (New patient) | 30 minutes |
| Children’s eye exam (Existing patient) | 15 minutes |
| CL check | 15 minutes |
| CL annual check | 60 minutes |
What to expect?
Our eye examinations make use of the latest technology including the latest scanners to measure the optics of your eyes and state of the art visual field scanners which are used to check your peripheral vision.
The OCT machine provides a stunning 3D image of the inside of the eye, with measurements, which allows us to look beneath the surface of the retina, revealing a level of detail which permits the earliest possible intervention for any problems that might occur, including crucial eye conditions and Glaucoma.
How often should one have an eye examination?
We advise regular eye examinations for everyone including children, even when you are not experiencing any difficulties. In accordance with national guidelines the recommended intervals are set out in the table below:
National Guidelines:
| Patient type | How often? |
|---|---|
| Aged 15 and below | Every year |
| Aged 16 to 69 | Every 2 years |
| Aged 70 and above | Every year |
| Patient is Diabetic | Every year |
| Patient has Glaucoma | Every year |
| Aged 40 years or over with an immediate relative with Glaucoma | Every year |