About home eye examinations
People who cannot get to a high street optician, especially the elderly or people with a disability who are unable to leave their home, would be entitled to an eye examination at home.
Some optometrists (opticians) visit people who are unable to leave their home to carry out, as far as possible, a full routine eye examination. They may work alongside a dispensing optician who is qualified to dispense and fit spectacles.
Arranging a home eye examination
If you require an eye examination contact your usual optometrist to find out if they are able to visit you at home. This would be ideal as they already have a record of your eye problems and will be familiar with your needs and requirements.
If you do not have an optometrist or if your usual optometrist cannot help, then you can telephone your local Primary Care Trust (PCT). Your PCT will keep a list of optometrists in your area who provide home visits and should be able to provide their details.
In some areas these lists are also kept in libraries, Citizen's Advice bureaux, GP surgeries and a NHS Walk-in Centre, if your town or city has one. You can also contact NHS Direct for details. You may also find details in your telephone directory.
Alternatively, there are a number of private companies that provide eye examinations at your home.
Cost
If you are 60 years or over, you will automatically qualify for a free NHS eye examination and will not have to pay anything for the visit if you are unable to leave your home. If you are under 60 you may still be entitled to a free eye test, but this depends on your circumstances. The optometrist will be able to explain exactly what you are entitled to when you phone to arrange the appointment.
What to expect
An eye examination at home should include most of the tests that you would expect if you had gone to the optometrist's practice. However, because the test is being done in your home, there may be slight alterations in the way that the optometrist conducts the test. If so, do not hesitate to ask the optometrist about any aspect of the test that seems different or that has apparently been missed out.
A full eye examination should take approximately 30 minutes and should include the following (the order may vary):
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A test of your level of eye sight - you will be asked to read letters on a chart or to match symbols.
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Checks of the outer eye to confirm exterior eye health and that your eyes react to light
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Checks of the inner eye - a light will be shone into your eye and you will be asked to look in different directions.
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Tests to confirm that the muscles that control the movement of the eyes are working well.
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Refraction to establish if spectacles are required and if so what prescription you will need.
Other tests that you should request if you are over 40, over 25 and of African-Caribbean origin, have a close relative with glaucoma or if you are diabetic:
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a basic field of vision test - to test your side vision
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an eye pressure test - again there are several tests for this, but the most common one involves puffs of air blown at the front of each eye. It does not hurt, but will probably make you jump.
These last two checks may be charged for separately.
Outcomes
The optometrist will then discuss the result of eye test and the health of your eyes with you. You should write down brief details of these results for you to keep. You will then be given either a prescription for new glasses or a statement saying that new glasses are not required. If there is an indication that your eyes require medical treatment or further investigation, the optometrist will contact your doctor who will then make the necessary arrangements.
If you need to change your glasses
The optometrist will bring a selection of new frames, in a range of styles and prices, for you to try on. If you don't find a style that you like or that suits your budget, do not be afraid to ask if you can see some more. If you have old frames that you would like to use again ask the optometrist to inspect them to see if they are still suitable. Always ask for a statement of the exact cost of the spectacles before agreeing to go ahead with the order. You may be entitled to help with the cost of NHS glasses so remember to ask the optometrist about this.
When your spectacles are ready the optometrist will contact you again to arrange delivery. The person who delivers the spectacles will make any necessary adjustments to the frames so that they fit comfortably.
Always keep a record of the optometrist's name and phone number in case you need to contact them again.
About letting a 'stranger' into your home
When you arrange an appointment to see an optometrist, please ensure you find out their name and ask for identification before you let them into your home. You may find it helpful if you have a relative, friend or carer with you when the optometrist comes to visit.
If you have a complaint
Always try to resolve the problem with the practice before you go any further. Sometimes clear and accurate communication can clear up problems without causing too much aggravation to both sides. However, if this is not an option then, there are some alternatives.
If the practice is part of a group, ask the practice manager for the name and address of the head office where you can send your complaint.
If your complaint has still not been resolved, contact the
Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS)
PO Box 4685
London
SE1 6ZB
Tel: 020 7261 1017
Useful contacts
One reaction to this uncertainty is to get information. In some cases this may be easy, particularly if the optometrist has told you that you may have a particular eye condition.
However, if the optometrist is not certain what condition is affecting your eyes and has only given you a vague description, it may not be easy to find accurate information until you have been given a diagnosis by a hospital ophthalmologist.
Obviously, gathering as much information as possible before your hospital appointment is natural and understandable.
However, it is always worth bearing in mind that, until the ophthalmologist has given you a diagnosis, the information you have gathered may not all be relevant to your case.
It may be useful at this time to plan your visit to the ophthalmology department.
In particular, working out some of the questions you may want to ask the ophthalmologist about any eye condition they may find.
If you are unfamiliar with how hospitals work, Who's who in eye health explains the roles of different health professionals.