If you haven’t had your eyes checked for a while, you might be wondering what happens during an eye test and what you can expect when you visit your optician
An eye test involves much more than simply reading letters from a chart. Your optometrist will assess how clearly you can see, determine whether you need glasses or an updated prescription, and examine different aspects of your eye health.
The exact tests carried out can vary depending on factors such as your age, eyesight, symptoms and individual eye health. However, understanding what generally happens during an eye examination can help you feel more prepared for your appointment.
What Is an Eye Test?
An eye test, also known as a sight test or eye examination, is a professional assessment of your vision and eye health.
During your appointment, an optometrist will carry out a series of checks to assess your eyesight and examine your eyes. If you already wear glasses, they can determine whether your current prescription is still suitable. If you don’t, the examination can identify whether corrective lenses could help you see more clearly.
Importantly, an eye examination isn’t only about whether you need glasses.
Optometrists are trained to recognise abnormalities and signs of eye conditions. The NHS notes that eye tests can identify conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma, with referral for further investigation where necessary.
This is one reason why regular eye examinations remain important even if you haven’t noticed any problems with your vision.
What Happens Before Your Eye Test Begins?
Your appointment will usually begin with a conversation about your eyesight, eye health and general health.
Your optometrist may ask questions about:
- Whether you’ve noticed any changes to your vision
- Any problems or symptoms you’re experiencing
- Whether you currently wear glasses or contact lenses
- Your previous eye prescription
- Your general health
- Any medication you’re taking
- Your family’s eye health history
- Your work, hobbies and visual requirements
It’s important to mention anything that has been bothering you, even if it seems relatively minor.
For example, tell your optometrist if you’ve been experiencing headaches, blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, dry or uncomfortable eyes, flashes or floaters, or problems focusing at particular distances.
Understanding how you use your eyes every day can also help your optometrist recommend suitable solutions for your individual needs.
Will My Current Glasses Be Checked?
If you already wear glasses, it’s a good idea to bring them with you to your appointment.
Your optometrist may check your existing prescription before assessing whether your eyesight has changed.
This provides a useful comparison and can help determine whether your current glasses are still giving you the vision you need.
If you have several pairs that you regularly use, such as reading glasses, computer glasses or varifocals, you may want to bring those with you too.
How Is Your Eyesight Tested?
One of the most familiar parts of an eye examination is checking how clearly you can see.
You’ll usually be asked to look at letters or symbols of different sizes on a chart. This allows your optometrist to assess your visual acuity – essentially, how clearly you can see at a particular distance.
Don’t worry if you can’t read every line.
The purpose isn’t to pass or fail a test. Your answers simply help your optometrist understand your vision and determine whether corrective lenses could improve it.
Tests can also be adapted for children and people who aren’t able to read a traditional letter chart.
How Does an Optometrist Work Out Your Prescription?
If you need glasses, your optometrist needs to determine the lens prescription that provides you with comfortable, clear vision.
This process is known as refraction.
You may be asked to look through different lenses while your optometrist compares them. You’ve probably encountered questions such as:
“Is it clearer with lens one or lens two?”
It can sometimes feel as though there’s very little difference between the options. That’s completely normal. Simply tell your optometrist which looks clearer or if they appear the same.
By gradually adjusting the lenses, your optometrist can establish the prescription that’s most appropriate for your eyesight.
Will Both Near and Distance Vision Be Tested?
Your optometrist may assess different aspects of your vision depending on your age and needs.
This can include how clearly you see:
- At a distance
- At intermediate distances, such as a computer screen
- Close up when reading
As we get older, focusing on nearby objects can become more difficult due to a natural age-related change called presbyopia.
If you need help seeing at more than one distance, your optometrist can discuss options such as separate reading glasses, bifocals or varifocal glasses.
Do They Check How Your Eyes Work Together?
An eye examination can also assess how well your eyes work together.
Good binocular vision means both eyes coordinate effectively to produce a single, comfortable image.
Your optometrist may perform tests to assess areas such as eye alignment, focusing ability and eye movements.
These checks can be particularly important if you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, difficulty concentrating when reading or double vision.
What Is the Eye Pressure Test?
Depending on your individual needs, your optometrist may measure the pressure inside your eyes.
This is known as an intraocular pressure test.
Eye pressure is one of several factors considered when assessing the risk of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve.
You may be familiar with the test where a small puff of air is directed towards the surface of the eye. Other methods of measuring eye pressure can also be used.
The test is quick and provides your optometrist with useful information about your eye health.
What Is a Visual Field Test?
A visual field test assesses how much you can see around you while looking straight ahead.
Rather than testing how sharply you can see, it checks your central and peripheral vision.
You may be asked to look at a fixed point while responding whenever you see small lights appear in different areas.
Visual field testing can help optometrists identify and monitor changes in vision associated with certain eye conditions, including glaucoma.
Not everyone will necessarily require the same visual field testing at every routine appointment. Your optometrist will decide which assessments are appropriate based on your circumstances.
Will the Optometrist Look Inside My Eyes?
Yes. Examining the health of your eyes is an important part of an eye test.
Your optometrist can use specialist equipment to examine structures at the front and back of your eyes.
This may include looking at areas such as the:
- Cornea
- Lens
- Retina
- Blood vessels
- Optic nerve
You may notice your optometrist shining a bright light into your eyes during this part of the examination.
Although the light can be bright, the examination allows them to look for abnormalities or changes that may require monitoring or further investigation.
What Is Retinal Photography?
Some eye examinations may include digital retinal photography.
A specialist camera takes an image of the retina at the back of your eye, allowing your optometrist to examine it in detail.
These images can also provide a useful record of your eye health. At future appointments, newer images can be compared with previous ones to help identify changes over time.
Whether retinal photography forms part of your appointment will depend on the services offered and the type of examination you’re having.
What Is an OCT Scan?
You may also be offered an OCT scan, depending on the examination and services available.
OCT stands for optical coherence tomography. It uses light waves to produce detailed images of structures within the eye, including layers of the retina.
Unlike a standard photograph, OCT allows an optometrist to examine cross-sectional images of the eye’s structures.
This additional information can help with the assessment and monitoring of a range of eye conditions.
The scan itself is non-invasive and usually takes only a short amount of time.
Will Eye Drops Be Used During an Eye Test?
Eye drops aren’t required for every routine eye examination.
However, there are circumstances where an optometrist may recommend using drops to dilate your pupils. Dilating the pupils allows a wider view of the inside of the eye.
If dilation is necessary, your vision may be temporarily blurry afterwards and your eyes may become more sensitive to bright light.
Your optometrist will explain what to expect if dilating drops are recommended.
What Happens at the End of an Eye Test?
Once the examination is complete, your optometrist will discuss the results with you.
They should explain:
- How well you’re seeing
- Whether your prescription has changed
- Any findings relating to your eye health
- Whether further tests or monitoring are recommended
- When you should have your next eye examination
If you need glasses, you’ll receive your optical prescription.
You can then discuss suitable eyewear and lens options based on your prescription, lifestyle and personal preferences.
If your optometrist identifies something that requires further investigation, they’ll explain the next steps and whether a referral is necessary.
Does an Eye Test Hurt?
A routine eye examination shouldn’t be painful.
Some tests may feel unusual or involve bright lights, but your optometrist should explain what they’re doing throughout the appointment.
If you’re nervous about any particular test, mention it before you begin. Your optometrist can explain what to expect and answer any questions you have.
What Should I Take to an Eye Test?
You don’t usually need to do anything complicated to prepare.
It can be useful to bring:
- Your current glasses
- Any other glasses you regularly use
- Your contact lenses and relevant details if applicable
- Details of medications you’re taking
- Information about relevant eye conditions in your family
It’s also worth thinking about any problems you’ve noticed with your eyesight before your appointment so you don’t forget to mention them.
What Happens During a Children’s Eye Test?
Children’s eye examinations can be adapted according to the child’s age and ability.
A child doesn’t need to be able to read before their eyesight can be assessed. Optometrists can use pictures, symbols and other age-appropriate techniques to check vision.
Regular eye examinations can be particularly valuable during childhood because children may not realise their vision is different from other people’s.
If a child does need glasses, identifying the problem allows the optometrist to recommend appropriate correction and provide advice to parents or carers.
How Often Should You Have an Eye Test?
For most people, the NHS recommends having an eye test around every two years, although your optometrist may recommend a different interval depending on your individual circumstances.
Certain people may require more frequent monitoring because of their age, eye health, family history or other risk factors.
You also shouldn’t wait until your next routine appointment if you’ve noticed a significant change in your eyesight or are concerned about your eye health.
Why Have an Eye Test If Your Vision Seems Fine?
It can be tempting to assume you don’t need an eye test if you’re seeing clearly and your glasses still seem to work.
However, an eye examination isn’t only about your prescription.
Some eye conditions may develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular examinations provide an opportunity for an optometrist to assess your eye health and identify changes that may need further investigation.
They can also detect smaller changes to your prescription that you may not have noticed yourself.
Keeping up with routine appointments is therefore an important part of looking after your eyes throughout your life.
Book an Eye Test with Bill Opticians
Now you know what happens during an eye test, there’s no need to feel uncertain about booking your next appointment.
At Bill Opticians, our experienced optometrists provide thorough, professional eye examinations alongside personalised advice about your eyesight and eye health.
We’ll take the time to understand your visual needs, assess your eyesight and eye health, and explain our findings clearly. If you need new glasses or a change to your prescription, our team can also help you find eyewear and lenses suited to your vision, lifestyle and preferences.
With independent Bill Opticians practices across Devon, professional eye care is available from a friendly local team.
If you’re due an eye examination, contact your nearest Bill Opticians practice to arrange an appointment.
