Eye Tests

Once our trained staff member has performed your pre-screening checks, one of our qualified optometrists will perform the rest of your eye examination, lasting approximately half an hour. The exam usually takes place in one of our upstairs consulting rooms. A downstairs appointment can be made available if we are notified at time of booking.
 
We begin by taking a brief history of eyes and general health. We’re not just being nosy – we need to know whether you took any tablets this morning or if Uncle Fred had glaucoma! Please bring a list of any medication you may be taking as some medications can affect your eyes and influence the tests we need to do. Please, also bring along any current spectacles or previous prescriptions if applicable.
 
Checking the health of the eyes is an important part of the examination. This involves shining bright lights in and around the eyes, and we do sometimes have to get quite close up, (we try and avoid garlic the night before!). These tests will tell us about the health of your eyes and also indicate general health conditions, e.g., diabetes or high blood pressure. If we have any concerns, we will refer you to your GP or local hospital eye specialist for further testing.
 
Our comprehensive exam also includes checking the power of your eyes. Our auto-refractor gives us a basic result during your pre-screening checks, and this is fine-tuned, ensuring that both eyes work together binocularly as well as possible. A few other checks may be included, if necessary, e.g. colour vision, stereopsis etc. From here, one of our dispensing colleagues will take over.
 
We can perform diabetic checks with full dilation (drops) and photography of the back of the eye on request. If necessary, we can email the photos to your GP and yourself.
 
DVLA examinations are also available, but please be aware that the equipment for this is upstairs.
 
Eye examinations are available daily, except Sundays, and cost £36.00. This fee includes digital retinal photography. Schoolchildren, over 60’s and people on benefits etc. are entitled to a free NHS test and possibly financial help towards the cost of spectacles. Please ask when booking.