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What happens in an eye test?
When you go for your eye test you should take with you
any glasses you wear, the names of any tablets or medicine you are
taking and the name of your doctor.
Your optometrist will
need some information about the health of you and your family. Tell
him or her why you have come and if you or your family have had any
eye problems.
An eye test should check your eye sight and
your health and can detect signs of eye conditions such as glaucoma
and diabetic eye disease. An eye test should normally include the
following, but the order may vary.
 Checking your eye sight, you will be asked to read letters
on a chart
Checking your outer eye. A light will be shone on to the
front of your
eyes to check their health and how well they
react to light.
Checking your inner eye. A light will be shone into your
eyes to check their health and you will be asked to look in
different directions
Checking to see if you need glasses. If you need glasses
to improve your vision, the optometrist will work out exactly what
prescription you will need. They will first shine a light in your
eyes and then ask you to look at letters or colours on a chart
through various lenses in special frame or machine.
Checking your eyes muscles. Your optometrist will check
that the muscles which control your eye movement are working
well.
As part of your eye test you may need other tests,
which could include the extra tests listed
opposite.
At
the end of your eye test
Your optometrist should discuss your eye test results
and your eye health with you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about
any aspect of your eye test. You must be given a statement saying
the you need glasses: or a prescription for glasses. This
prescription can be used to buy glasses at any optometrists
practice.
RNIB recommends that you have your eyes tested at
least once every two years unless your eye specialist tells you that
you need to have a test more often.
Are you over 40 years old?
People
over 40 years are more at risk of developing
glaucoma
Do you have a close relative with
glaucoma?
People who have or have had a close
relative with glaucoma are more at risk of developing glaucoma
themselves.
Are you of African - Caribbean origin?
People of African - Caribbean origin are more at risk
of developing glaucoma, and at a younger age. You should ask to look
for the tests below if you are over 25 years old.
Do you have diabetes?
Diabetes
can cause eye problems that may lead to sight problems that may lead
to sight loss if not treated. You should ask about the tests below
and also about dilating eye drops.
If you answered “ yes” to any of the questions above
you should ask for:
* the
inner and outer eye
tests
* the
field of vision
test
* the eye
pressure test | 
