Eye health factsheet: Getting an eye test (with RNIB …



Getting an eye test

Why do you need an eye test?

A regular eye test can help detect eye diseases before you notice the effect on your sight. Early treatment can often prevent your sight form getting worse.

This information 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 in this leaflet will help you to talk through what's best for you with your optometrist.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) recommends that you have an eye test at least once every two years or more often if advised.

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

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.

An eye test should normally include the following but the order may vary.

Discussion of the reason for your visit

It may be a routine eye test, or you may have specific problems with your eyes and vision. Or you may have been sent by your GP. Special demands on your eyes put on by work and hobbies may also need to be addressed. The optometrist may also want to know about your health and health of your family

Checking your eye sight

You will be asked to read letters on a chart. For those who are not able to read, there will be others 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 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 movements, 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.

As part of your eye test you may need other tests which are mentioned further down.

At the end of your eye test

Your optometrist should discuss your eye test results and your eye health with you. Don't be afraid to ask questions about any aspect of your eye test.

You must be given a statement saying that you do not need glasses; or a prescription for glasses. This prescription can be used to buy glasses at any Optician’s practice.

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 and therefore need additional tests to 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 the questions above you should ask for the:

• inner and outer eye tests

• field of vision test

• eye pressure test.

It is important to ask for all of these tests as together they detect signs of glaucoma more effectively than only one or two tests. When you make your appointment let the optometrist know 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 tests 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 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 will be 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, your eyes can be tested at home. Details of optometrists providing this service can be obtained from your local Primary Care trusts.

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 or your partner receive income support, income based jobseeker's allowance or pension credit guarantee credit.

• Do you or your partner receive working tax credit (WTC) with a disability or child tax credit with or without any rate of WTC - and your relevant income for tax credit purposes is £15,050 or less, and you are named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate?

• Do you have diabetes or glaucoma?

• Do you live in Scotland?

• Are you aged 40 or over and have a close relative with diagnosed glaucoma?

• Considered to be at risk of glaucoma by an ophthalmologist at a hospital.

• Are you registered as blind or partially sighted.

• Are you entitled to vouchers for complex lenses?

• Are you in prison?

• Are you a war/service pensioner (the need must be due to your accepted war disablement.

• Are you an asylum seeker supported by the National Asylum Support Services and named on an HC2 certificate.

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 widely between the optometrists. Expect a sight test fee to be between £17.00 and £30.00. Ask your local optometrists what they charge.

Other sources of help

RNIB Helpline

The RNIB Helpline is your direct line to the support, advice and products you need. We’ll help you to find out what’s available in your area and beyond, both from RNIB and other organisations.

Whether you want to know more about your eye condition, buy a product from our shop, join our library, find out about possible benefit entitlements, be put in touch with a trained counsellor, or make a general enquiry, we're only a call away.

RNIB Helpline

Telephone: 0303 123 9999

Email: helpline@.uk

We are ready to answer your call Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5.30pm. Outside these times leave us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Optical Consumer Complaints Service

PO Box 4685

London

SE1 6ZB

Telephone: 0844 800 5071

Disclaimer

This factsheet aims to help you get an eye test that is right for you. However 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.

RNIB Eye Health Information Service

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