After your eye examination

Your optometrist will always discuss the results of your eye examination with you.

You may find it helpful to make notes or to ask the optometrist to write down key points, so that you may refer to them later.

Results from your eye examination

If you don't need glasses or contact lenses and your eyes are healthy, your optometrist will give you a note that explains this. You should then be encouraged to have another eye test and your optometrist will recommend when this should be.

• Find out more about looking after your eyes.

If you need glasses or contact lenses, the optometrist should provide you with:

• Apaper copy of your prescription.
• An explanation of the kind of glasses or lenses you need.
• An explanation why you need them.

The prescription will enable the optometrist to arrange for a pair of glasses to be made for you. The College of Optometrists recommends that you have your spectacles made by the optician that carried out your eye test. However, you're entitled to take the prescription to another optician. 

If signs of an eye condition have been detected, the optometrist should refer you for more tests, usually to an ophthalmologist (eye consultant) at a hospital but this may be to another optometrist depending on the system in your area. 

• Find out more about what happens when you have been referred to a hospital for diagnosis

Further information and support

RNIB Helpline is your direct line to the support, advice and products you need from RNIB to remain independent. We'll put you in touch with the people, services and organisations there to help, both locally and nationally, including voluntary groups and support from social services. Call us on 0303 123 9999, email [email protected].