Eye Care
Routine eye care
We offer a comprehensive, professional eye examination for NHS and Private patients by experienced, fully qualified Optometrists. All of our adult eye examinations take around 40 to 45 minutes ensuring you will be given time to express any problems or concerns you may have with your eyes. After the examination the results will be fully discussed and all advice will be carefully explained.
Regular eye examinations are an essential part of your overall health care and can detect conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure as well as visual fatigue. You will be assessed for eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
All of our practices are equipped with the latest digital photography and OCT retinal imaging to give a detailed analysis of the health of the inside of the eye. This enables the optometrist to make an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of many eye diseases and to monitor any changes over time.
In 2020 we installed a state-of-the-art Optos retinal scanner into our Radcliffe practice which not only takes OCT images, but also an Optomap wide field image viewing 80% of the retina. Read more here
We welcome patients in receipt of a free NHS Eye Examination; including the over 60’s, and children in full time education.
Who is entitled to a free NHS eye examination?
- Children under 16 years of age or under 19 and in full time education.
- Anyone over 60 years of age.
- If you or your partner receives income support, income-based job seekers allowance, pension credit or have a valid HC2 certificate.
- Anyone registered blind or Partially Sighted
- Anyone with diabetes, glaucoma or thought to be at risk of, by an eye specialist.
- Anyone over 40 yrs of age with an immediate family history of glaucoma.
- If the NHS considers you to have a complex spectacle prescription.
Children and adults on certain benefits may also claim help towards the cost of their spectacles. If you are claiming exemption from NHS charges we are now required to ask to see evidence of your entitlement.
How often should you have an eye exam?
For most adults it is recommended to have an eye examination at least every 2 years, even if there are no visual problems present. If you have a family history of eye conditions such as glaucoma, if you are over the age of 70 or under the age of 16 it is recommended to have an eye examination every year.
If you experience any changes in your vision or are concerned about your eye health, please contact us for advise and we will more than likely book you in for an examination.
Eye care for children
Children should have regular eye examinations from around the age of three years old, or earlier if you think your child has a visual problem. It is recommended to have them tested before starting school and children do not need to know their letters as shapes and pictures can be used.
Poor vision can hinder a child’s development as up to 90 percent of what a child learns comes from what they see. Some signs and symptoms that may indicate your child has an eyesight problem are; regular headaches, screwing up eyes, blinking and rubbing eyes. Children can be fitted with contact lenses from around 12 years of age. Children’s sunglasses are available to protect from harmful UV radiation.
All children’s eye examinations are FREE under the NHS. For more information, please click here.