Sight Tests

You should mention when booking your appointment to your optician any eye problems you might be experiencing and your general eye health and lifestyle. 

What is a sight test?

It is a test conducted by a qualified optician. It will usually start with a discussion with the optician of your needs, lifestyle, medical history and any eye problem you may be experiencing.

The optician will move onto taking some digital retinal photography of the back of your eye which will be saved and will be used in monitoring changes in eye health on your future visits. At Eyekit you can request a free copy of this to be emailed to you. 

A chart for testing visual acuity, usually consisting of letters, numbers or pictures printed in lines of decreasing size that the patient will identify from a fixed distance. The optometrist will check the health of your eyes and look for signs of other medical conditions.

If you are over 60 our optician might need to give you eye drops to dilate your pupils. 

How often should you have a sight test?

It is important that you and your family visit us at least once every two years unless stated otherwise by your optician 

Are you entitled to a NHS free sight test?

 Free NHS sight tests are eligible for anyone who meets the NHS criteria below:

• are under 16
• are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
• are 60 or over
• are registered as partially sighted or blind
• have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
• are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
• have been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you're at risk of glaucoma

You're also entitled if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit and meet this criteria

If you're entitled to or named on:

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
• a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

What do you need to when you go to your optician?

• Your previous eye prescription if you have one and a rough idea of when your previous test was.
• Your brief medical history (including that of your family, a family member with an illness such as a diabetes and glaucoma can indicate you may have an increased risk that needs to be monitored)
• Any current prescription medication that you maybe on (you don't need to bring this in just remember the name your optician will probably be aware of it)
• If you're experiencing any eye problems. 
• A clear understand of your needs so you are recommended the best plan or lenses for you.