Eye Examinations

An eye examination or vision assessment is a simple and comfortable check of your vision and eye health. During your appointment, the optometrist will ask a few questions about your eyesight and general health, then carry out a series of tests to see how well you can see and how healthy your eyes are. This may include reading letters on a chart, checking how your eyes work together, and looking at the back of your eyes.

The test is painless and usually takes around 20–30 minutes. At the end, you’ll be given a comprehensive explanation of your eye health, including whether you may need glasses or contact lenses. You’ll also have the chance to ask any questions about your eye health or raise any specific concerns.

Eye exams and vision assessments are available free of cost on the NHS for those who qualify, and are offered to all ages.

Have a specific and new eye health concern? A full eye examination may not be for you. Instead we’re part of the NHS minor eye care scheme (MECS) for patients with urgent eye problems, which can save you a potential trip to A&E or your GP.

We can assess and manage conditions such as:

• Red or sore eyes.

• Sudden loss of vision.

• Flashes, floaters, or suspected foreign bodies.

Service available to eligible patients — check with us if you qualify.

As part of your eye exam you will also be offered the option of an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan, which is available for an additional cost.

An OCT generates detailed 3D images of the back of your eye helping provide more detail on your eye health and can detect conditions earlier than standard testing. This is beneficial for monitoring ongoing eye health, allowing your optometrist to spot trends or irregularities.