Eye examinations
Your eyes will be examined by an experienced optometrist with excellent clinical skills, who will listen carefully to your concerns. The optometrist will discuss with you the outcome of the examination, in terms of both your ocular health and your visual correction.
In addition to a comprehensive eye examination, your optometrist may recommend the following further tests:
Pupil dilation: this gives us a better view of the retina. Drops are instilled to widen the pupil. If you are driving, you may need to return for a further appointment without your vehicle, as your vision may be blurred after the examination.
Repeat eye pressure testing and visual fields.
Digital retinal photography: This may be carried out during your examination, but if pupil dilation is needed for a better view, we may need to book a further appointment.
OCT scan: The OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scanner is an instrument which uses light rays to take a detailed image below the surface of the retina, to give in-depth images of the eye’s internal structures. This allows our optometrists to assess and monitor changes which may affect your sight. We recommend an OCT scan for patients with macula problems, or to detect subtle optic nerve changes in patients with a family history of glaucoma.
- If you are taking prescription medication it is important to bring along details.
- Please bring along your present spectacles, sunglasses and any magnifiers, if you use them.
- Contact lens wearers should wear their lenses to the appointment (unless specifically asked not to).
- If you wear contact lenses, please bring along your spectacles and contact lens case to your appointment.
- If you have any special requirements (e.g. you require a downstairs room) please let our staff know at the time of booking the appointment.
- We are more regularly using dilation drops for a more detailed view of the retina; it is recommended not to drive straight after pupil dilation. If you need to drive later, please make sure you have your driving glasses with you (if you wear them) and consider using sunglasses to make you more comfortable.
Please ensure you have enough time for your appointment.
A full eye examination takes up to 40 minutes.
For diabetic eye screening or pupil dilation please allow at least 1 hour.