We can provide eye examinations for private patients. These are conducted by a highly qualified optometrist, and take approximately thirty minutes.

It is recommended that these are taken on a six monthly basis for children, and an annual basis for adults. Those with conditions such as diabetes or glaucoma are advised to come more frequently.

Eyes tests are beneficial not only because they examine vision, but because they can be used to assess the health of the eyes. They can detect conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration and neurological afflictions. Early diagnosis and treatment of a condition means that one’s sight or health needn’t be exacerbated, and indeed full recovery may be possible.

Patients are advised to bring details of their GP, any medicines they are taking, and visual prescriptions or glasses they may use.

Special demands put upon the eyes at work and recreationally may also be discussed, as well as the overall health of the patient and their family.

To assess the patient’s sight they will be asked to read letters on a chart, or for those unable to read, identify or match up images.

A direct torch light will be shone on the anterior segment or front of the eyes to assess their photosensitivity or reaction to light. Similarly, an ophthalmoscope uses a halogen light to check the back of the eyes to analyse their overall health.

The patient is asked to look in various directions to ensure that the muscles controlling eye movement are fully functioning.

Following the examination, the optometrist will discuss the results with the patient and advise them of the best course of action, to achieve optimum health for their eyes, and maximise their vision. If the patient is partially sighted, and would benefit from contact lenses, glasses or low vision aids to improve their vision, the optometrist will work out their prescription accordingly.