Eye-Tests

We know how important your eyesight is and here at Aldreds we aim to give you the highest quality of service in our field.

Being a family run business we can go that extra mile for you in all aspects of our eyecare.

You qualify for a free NHS funded sight test if you are:

• aged under 16, or aged under 19 and in full-time education
• aged 60 or over 
• registered blind or partially sighted 
• diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma 
• aged 40 or over and you are the parent, brother, sister, son or daughter of a person diagnosed with glaucoma, or you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma 
• eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher 
• a prisoner on leave from prison

You are also entitled to a free NHS sight test if:

• you receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not contribution based) 
• you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit 
• you receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance 
• you are awarded Universal Credit
• you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate 
• you are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
• If you do not enter into any of the above categories an eye test will cost you £35.

Some things to expect during your examination:

Glasses check (focimetry):

Is used to determine the strength of your glasses so your optometrist can see if your prescription has changed. You’ll be asked to hand your glasses over and they will be placed on a machine – this often happens in the pre-testing before the appointment.

Pressure check (tonometry):

This test for glaucoma and can be easy to spot, as lots of optometrists use a method that blows puffs of air in your eye. Visual fields check Look at your peripheral vision. This may be done with a technician before the appointment and involves you clicking a button as you see dots of light flash up in the edges of your vision.

Autorefraction:

Can be used to automatically estimate your prescription. You’ll be asked to look into a machine and most likely see a picture that will move in and out of focus.

Prescription check:

Is the part where the optometrist will show you a series of lenses and ask you questions such as ‘clearer with or without’ or ‘sharper in 1 or 2’.

A slit lamp:

is a microscope with a bright light used to look at the front and sometimes back of your eyes. You’ll place your chin in a chinrest and be asked to look straight ahead or at the optometrist’s ear.

Ophthalmoscopy:

Can be used to look at the inside of your eye, particularly the retina. Normally, the lights are turned down and the optometrist will come in close with a light and check your eyes in a variety of positions such as straight ahead, up, looking to the left and so on.

This list is not exhaustive and certain tests may not apply, if you have any questions before your eye-test then please speak to one of our staff who will answer all your questions.