The significance of regular eye exams
Each eye examination is personalised based on your requirements and the techniques preferred by your optometrist. Apart from assessing eye health, these tests can uncover indications of broader health issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. It’s recommended to undergo an eye exam every two years, or more frequently if advised by your optometrist.
What is involved in the eye testing procedure?
Your optometrist will evaluate your vision both up close and at a distance, often employing specialised charts featuring symbols or letters. This assessment may involve wearing your glasses or not. Through a series of tests utilising various lenses, they determine whether you require corrective lenses or a prescription adjustment. Your honest responses to simple questions are valuable during this process. There are no right or wrong answers, so there’s no need for concern.
For individuals unable to respond to verbal cues, alternative methods are available for determining a prescription. This is particularly beneficial for young children or those with cognitive or additional needs. Additionally, your optometrist will assess your eye muscles to gauge how effectively your eyes coordinate.
Patient history and symptoms
Detailed questions regarding your vision, lifestyle, health, and any past eye issues you or your family have experienced are essential. Bringing a list of medications and your current glasses or previous prescription is advisable.
Eye health evaluation
Your optometrist will inspect both the external and internal structures of your eyes, identifying any indications of disease or injury. The equipment used within Lesley Cree Opticians can include a slit-lamp to look at the cornea and anterior eye eg: iris and lens which can detect cataracts. The slit-lamp is also used with a high powered Wohlk lens to look at the retina in 3D. We often use a traditional Ophthalmoscope to view the inside of your eye, or the high-tech Optos eye scanner (see below), all of which check the optic nerve (for glaucoma or neurological disease), blood vessels (for blood pressure and diabetes), macular (for macular degeneration) and any freckles/moles/melanomas or retinal degeneration (holes/tears) that can lead to a retinal detachment.
In some cases, eye drops may be necessary to enhance visibility of the retina, a step that your optometrist will explain beforehand.
Peripheral vision and eye pressure assessment
Peripheral vision may be assessed using specialised instruments to detect specific eye or neurological conditions. Additionally, an eye pressure test might be conducted to screen for glaucoma.
Consultation and recommendations
Following the examination, your optometrist will discuss the findings with you and address any questions you may have. They will advise you on the necessity of glasses, if applicable, and recommend suitable options. Furthermore, they will alert you to any identified eye issues. Should further medical evaluation be warranted, your optometrist will refer you to your GP or an eye hospital. You will receive a written report of the examination results, including any prescribed glasses and recommendations for future eye exams.
The importance of eye examinations
Eye examinations are vital for maintaining optimal eye health for you and your family.
Your optometrist plays a crucial role in:
– Identifying early signs of eye disease
– Enhancing vision clarity and comfort
– Detecting indications of broader health conditions manifesting in the eyes
By prioritising regular eye exams, you not only safeguard your vision but also contribute to your overall well-being.
Why should I get my eyes tested at Lesley Cree Opticians?
At Lesley Cree Opticians Radcliffe practice, we use the Optos Monaco eye scanner – one of the most advanced diagnostic tools available – to help detect the earliest of abnormal eye conditions or disease.
This cutting-edge technology combines ultra-widefield retinal imaging with OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), allowing us to view more of the back of your eye in incredible detail.
At our Keyworth and Ruddington practices we use digital photography and OCT scanning to analyse the retina in detail. We are able to identify even the smallest changes or abnormalities that could indicate the onset of eye disease, often before any symptoms appear. The scans are quick, non-invasive, and gives our expert team the best chance of catching potential risks early – helping to protect your vision for the long term.
“ I liked to support the village where possible and I’m so pleased I found Lesley Cree. She is so kind and explains everything perfectly and all her staff are just as lovely with nothing being too much trouble. ”
Juliet Wheatcroft
“ First class service- a pleasure to visit. I will return. Simply the best! ”
Anne L. Baunes
“ It was lovely to be able to have cup of tea, whilst having the opportunity to try out my glasses. It encouraged me to try new glasses and led to me purchasing a pair I would never have chosen previously. Thank you. ”
Ruth Pettit
“ I was really impressed with the whole experience. Mrs Cree was very attentive during the eye test and explained everything thoroughly. The help I received when choosing my frames was absolutely fantastic and there was a huge choice. I am extremely pleased with my new frames and will definitely recommend Mrs Cree too my family […] ”
Jane Kirk
“ The personal service and expertise both from the optometrist and the reception staff was exemplary,and I got a really good outcome with frames and lenses at a great price that probably exceeded my expectations.Thanks ”
Philip Moore
“ I was nervous when I arrived but put at ease straight away. The examination was very thorough and everything was explained clearly.Overall it was a good experience. I always come to Lesley Cree ”
Julia Lord
“ Very efficient and friendly. A pleasure to come to the shop. I would definitely recommend for glasses and contact lenses. ”
Sue Reesby
“ Excellent friendly service and a fantastic range of frames to choose from. I very much appreciated the expert advice I received from everyone who helped me pick out the perfect glasses. I shall have no problem with recommending Lesley Cree Opticians. ”
Joyce Elton
“ The friendly and helpful welcome on arrival, the offer of refreshments, the thorough eye examination and help with choosing glasses all made my appointment a wonderful experience. ”
Jane Graham
“ The lay out and the exceptional range of brands, combined with the best customer service I have ever received, created the perfect experience for an eye examination. ”
“ From entering to leaving the building, it was the most professional and friendly experience I have ever had at any previous opticians. ”
“ I was very impressed with their special offer deals. I required two pairs of glasses and was offered money off on the second pair. Also. I was very impressed with the warm, friendly and welcoming environment, made it feel less of an eye examination but more of a friendly meeting. ”
“ The moment I arrived at Lesley Cree Opticians I felt relaxed and welcomed instantaneously. The service was impeccable and the aftercare was simply wonderful. I love my new glasses!! ”
Samantha Black
“ I genuinely cannot think of any possible way the service I received could have been any better. The atmosphere was first class, the very friendly staff offered expert advice in a relaxed and very informative manner. ”
Graham Hancox
“ The service I received from the staff at Lesley Cree from start to finish was simply fantastic. I will have no problem recommending such a quality service. ”
Naomi Daubrah-Scott
“ Thank you to everyone for looking after my husband and myself. The service delivered by all the staff was outstanding, I would definitely recommend to my family and friends. ”
Sue Barran
“ The service from you all was friendly as well as extremely professional- worth coming from South Africa for 🙂 ”
J. Anthony
“ A very efficient and friendly service. Would happily recommend it to my friends ”
Linda McGill
“ In modern shopping you can often be treated as a number, it is refreshing to be finally treated as a person. An excellent service ”
Dave Dunlop
“ A fantastic to the point service, that provided good old-fashioned customer service. Struggling to think how the experienced could have been improved! ”
D Winter
“ Overall, an excellent service that was recommended by a friend. The practice has a relaxed atmosphere and professional staff giving great advice under Lesley Cree’s outstanding personal leadership. ”
Bill Whitaker
“ Excellent standard of care delivered by Lesley Cree Opticians. The service provided was professional yet very friendly. Would happily recommend to friends. Thank You. ”
C M Gallagher
“ Went to Lesley Cree following a recommendation having worn glasses for over 15 years and I’ve never had such a service. The staff and everything to do with the process was brilliant. ”
J J Lorris
“ This was my first visit to Lesley Cree Opticians and its best eye test I have ever had. Very good in all aspects and thoroughly overjoyed with my experience. ”
“ My son has ADHD and struggles to sit still for long periods. Lesley’s standard of care during his eye assessment was quite simply amazing. She was extremely patient and empathetic to his needs. Thank you. ”
Tracey Marshall
“ This was my first visit to Lesley Cree Opticians after being recommended to use their services on a number of occasions. The overall environment was very pleasant with extremely helpful staff and my eye examination test was efficient and thorough. I love my new glasses. ”
Susan Gadd
“ On entering the opticians, I was very nervous, but was immediately put at ease by Lesley and her friendly staff. My eye examination was painless and conducted in a thorough manner. The glasses I chose as a result of my tests are brilliant. Thank you to all the team. ”
Jenny Miller
“ This was my first visit to the practice having been intrigued by it when passing by. The service I received was excellent and the management and staff made me feel like a VIP. Please don’t change in any way! ”
D Fraser
“ Three generations of us go to Lesley. Her thorough checks spotted an issue with my mother’s eyes which had been previously been undetected. There’s always a friendly welcome, a tasty chocolate and great service from everyone in the shop. ”
Mark Shardlow
“ Every time I visit, I am greeted with a warm welcome from everyone at the practice. I have always received the very best service and would happily recommend to anyone in search of a great opticians. ”
Victor Kalantar
“ I had a scan of my eyes during my eye examination and the new technology is quite simply amazing! Lesley explained exactly what the scan showed and what she was looking for, seeing the back of my eye in so much detail for the first time was so interesting! Would highly recommend to anyone ”
Samantha Howells
“ Recently moved to the area and decided to go to Lesley Cree Opticians because of the time and effort they seem to put into their window display! I can honestly say the care and attention I received from all the staff was superb. Will not go anywhere else now. ”
Michael Stockdale
“ Lesley Cree is a really fantastic optician with friendly and welcoming staff. Lesley and her team are excellent with children and my children love getting their eyes tested. They all really know their stuff and would highly recommend to family and friends. ”
Sarah Brimblecombe
“ I received a much better service than that provided by my previous high street opticians. My appointment was so much more in depth and thorough while the choice of frames was like being in a sweetie shop! Everything about my visit was exceptional. ”
Sophie Lewis
“ I am beyond grateful to Lesley for her experience and attention to detail as she identified a retinal tear with her new scanning machine. Lesley contacted the hospital and sent them a report, I had laser surgery a few hours later that day. Without undergoing the scan I wouldn’t have gone to hospital and had […] ”
Julie Iliffe
“ I just wanted to thank you for your kindness in checking my eye scan and re-doing it, and rewriting my prescription. This along with the visual fields I did, and the pressure tests you did this morning, has completely set me up for future appointments. It is so nice and such a relief to feel […] ”
Jonathon Gibson
“ I have an ongoing relationship with Lesley Cree Opticians. They ensure my eyesight received regular attention as I grow older. ”