Eye Info

Getting an eye test

Summary: Information about getting full and thorough eye test.

• Why do you need an eye test?
• What happens in an eye test?
• Do I need extra tests as part of my eye test?
• The extra tests
• If you need extra help to get your eye test
• The cost of an eye test
• Open Your Eyes
• Other sources of help
• More information

---

An eye test is not just about getting glasses – it is a vital health check for your eyes.

Why do you need an eye test?

A regular eye test can help detect eye conditions before you notice the effect on your sight. Early treatment can often prevent your sight from getting worse. This leaflet explains what is normally included in a good eye test for adults (children may need different tests).

A contact lens check is not the same as a full eye test. Contact lens wearers need regular eye tests as well as contact lens checks.

A full eye test should take about 30 minutes.

Opticians who test your eyes are now called optometrists. The information on this page will help you to talk through what's best for you with your optometrist. We recommend that you have an eye test at least once every two years or more often if advised.

If you are unable to visit a high street optician, perhaps if you are elderly or your sight problems make travelling difficult, you may be able to get your eyes tested at home. Find out more about having an eye examination at home.

Older people and eye tests campaign - RNIB research shows that 47 per cent of people over 60 fail to have their eyes tested regularly.

What happens in an eye test?

When you go for your eye test you should take with you any glasses that you wear, the names of any tablets or medicine you are taking and the name of your doctor.

Eye tests should normally include the following, but the order may vary:

Discuss the reason for your visit

It may be a routine eye test, you may have specific problems with your eyes and vision, or you may have been sent by your GP. Special demands on your eyes created by work and hobbies may also need to be addressed. The optometrist may also want to know about your general health and health of your family, including if someone in your family has an eye condition.

Checking your eye sight

You will be asked to read letters on a chart. For those who are not able to read, there are other tests such as identifying pictures or matching letters and pictures.

Checking your outer eye

A light will be shone on the front of your eyes to check their health and how well they react to light.

Checking your inner eye

An ophthalmoscope is used to check the back of the eyes. The light of the ophthalmoscope will be shone into your eyes to check their health and you will be asked to look in different directions.

Checking your eye muscles

Your optometrist will check that the muscles which control your eye movement are working well.

Checking to see if you need glasses

If you need glasses to improve your vision, the optometrist will work out exactly what prescription you need. They may shine a light in your eyes and then ask you to look at letters or colours on a chart through various lenses in a special frame or machine.

Questions to ask the optometrist

Do feel free to ask questions about any aspect of your eye test, for instance:

• When do I need to wear these glasses?
• What is the name of my refractive error?
• How large is the error in my eyes?
• Is my eye generally health, no signs of any eye condition?
• When should I come back for another test?
• How often do you think I should have my eyes tested?
• Why do you want to send me onto the hospital or GP?
• Do I need to tell anyone in my family to have their eyes tested?

At the end of your eye test

Your optometrist should discuss your eye test results and your eye health with you. If you don't need glasses then the optometrist will give you a statement that says this. If you do need glasses then they must provide you with a prescription for your glasses. This prescription can be used to buy glasses at any optometrist’s practice not just the one where you had your test.

Do I need extra tests as part of my eye test?

Some people may be at higher risk of eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. Extra tests ensure early detection.

Are you over 40 years old?

People over 40 are more at risk of developing glaucoma.

Do you have a close relative with glaucoma?

People who have or have had a close relative with glaucoma are more at risk of developing glaucoma themselves.

Are you of African-Caribbean origin?

People of African-Caribbean origin are more at risk of developing glaucoma, and at a younger age.

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you should ask for:

• the inner and outer eye tests
• the field of vision test
• the eye pressure test.

It is important to ask for all these tests. Together they detect signs of glaucoma more effectively than only one or two tests. When you make your appointment tell the optometrist that you will need these extra tests.

Do you have diabetes?

Diabetes can cause eye problems that may lead to sight loss if not treated. You should ask about the tests below and also about dilating eye drops.

The extra tests

The field of vision test

There are various different machines (most are computerised) which measure the field of vision. These tell how far around you can see. You will be shown patterns of lights and asked to say which ones you can see. Each eye will be tested separately. This test can help to detect glaucoma and other problems.

The eye pressure test

An increase in eye pressure may be a sign of glaucoma. There are two ways to test the pressure. One uses eye drops to numb your eyes for a short while and then placing an instrument on the front of your eyes, and the other involves blowing at least three puffs of air at the front of each eye. Neither test hurts.

Dilating eye drops

If the optometrist needs to see the back of your eye more closely, drops will be put in your eyes that make your pupils larger. It takes up to half an hour for the drops to work properly. Some people find the drops make their eyes dazzled or their sight blurred. You should not drive or use heavy machinery for a few hours after the drops.

If you need extra help to get your eye test

If you are housebound, you should find out about having your eyes tested at home. Your local Primary Care Trust (PCT) will have details of optometrists providing this service.

People who have problems with language, with communicating or with understanding are entitled to an eye test, but may need more than one visit to the optometrist. Check that all of the parts of the eye test have been done.

The cost of an eye test

If you answer 'yes' to any of these questions you are entitled to NHS free eye tests.

• Are you aged 60 or over?
• Are you under 16, or under 19 and in full time education?
• Do you live in Scotland?
• Do you or your partner receive income support, family credit, income based job seekers allowance, pension credit guarantee, and are entitled to or named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or are named on valid HC2 certificate?
• Do you have diabetes or glaucoma?
• Are you 40 or over and have a close relative with glaucoma?
• Does a hospital ophthalmologist say you are at risk of glaucoma?
• Are you registered blind or partially sighted?
• Are you entitled to vouchers for complex lenses?

NHS rules may change from time to time. If you think you qualify for free eye tests, speak to your optometrist before you have the eye test and they will ask you to sign a NHS Sight Test Form.

I am on a low income, do I still have to pay?

To apply for help from the NHS ask for a HC1 form from your optometrist, doctor, social security office, dentist or pharmacist.

If I do have to pay, how much will it cost?

Eye test charges vary but you can expect the fee to be between £17.00 and £30.00. Ask your local optometrists what they charge.

Disclaimer: This information aims to help you get the eye test that is right for you. However the RNIB cannot recommend or endorse any individual optometrist or give any assurance in relation to any particular eye test. If you are unhappy with the service you receive and cannot resolve it with your optometrist, you can contact the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) on 020 7261 1017.

Open Your Eyes

Our Open Your Eyes campaign aims to bring an end to preventable sight loss in the UK by 2020.

Thousands of people in the UK are needlessly losing their sight every year through treatable conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Thousands more are living with sight loss because they are simply wearing the wrong glasses or not seeking treatment for cataracts. A regular eye test checks your eye health as well as your sight. Don't put it off, book one today!

Other sources of help

Royal National Institute of Blind People
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Telephone 020 7388 1266

RNIB has a number of services covering benefits, education, employment, legal rights, emotional support, daily living help and residential care.

The RNIB Helpline can:

• Put you in touch with an RNIB specialist advice service.
• Send you free information and leaflets.
• Give you details of support groups and services in your area.

Call the Helpline on 0845 766 9999 / 020 7388 2525 or helpline@rnib.org.uk, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Calls charged at local rates. Mobile rates may vary. All enquiries treated in confidence.

NHS Choices provides a search facility to help you find contact details for GPs, hospitals and dentists near you.

More information

• Need an eye test?
• After your eye test
• Going to the eye clinic
• Who's who in eye health.

Back to Eye tests and clinics

Content author: eyehealth@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 07/03/2008 11:43