You qualify for a free NHS-funded sight test if: you’re aged under 16 you’re aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full-time education you’re aged 60 or over you’re registered as partially sighted (sight impaired) or blind (severely sight impaired) you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma you’re 40 or over, and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma you’ve been advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma you’re a prisoner on leave from prison you’re eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optometrist (optician) can advise you about your entitlement You’re also entitled to a free NHS sight test if you: receive Income Support receive Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (not Contribution-based) receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not Contribution-based) are awarded Universal Credit are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate you are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2) People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help. Find out more on the NHS England website here

Optometrists recommend that most people should get their eyes tested every two years. For some people, it is important to have an eye test more frequently. Here are a few groups that might be recommended to come back sooner: children wearing glasses people aged 40 or over with a family history of glaucoma people aged 70 or overpeople with diabetes

You can choose whether you get your spectacles from the practice where you had your eyes tested, or whether you would like to look elsewhere. Shopping around can save you money, but staying with the same practice can make it easier if any problems arise.

Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that most people will experience as they get older. Fortunately it can be treated, often as day surgery. The vast majority of people with cataract will find that their vision is much improved after surgery. The overall success rate of cataract surgery in the UK is over 95 per cent and the chances of a serious or sight-threatening complication are less than 1 in 500. After getting your glasses updated you will be able to carry on with daily life as normal.

If you suspect that you have cataract make an appointment for an eye test. It is important to get a professional to check your eye health as blurred vision can have a number of causes. If you know that you have cataract and it is causing problems with your daily life then discuss it with our Optometrist who will be able to refer you for treatment.

The leading causes of sight loss – cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease – are all age related. If your sight is not as good as it used to be, you’re not alone. Sight loss affects 1.8 million people in the UK. RNIB research predicts that by 2050 the numbers of people with partial sight and blindness in the UK will double to nearly 4 million people, and most people find their sight worsening as they get older.

Many eye diseases don’t have symptoms in the early stages so you may not be able to tell that your sight is being damaged. Regular eye tests can help pick up the very early signs of disease. The optometrist looks at the back of the eye to spot conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and can even see signs of high blood pressure. Get your eyes tested every two years, or more often if advised. People with a family history of glaucoma may need an annual test.

There is no set rule for this: return to us for readjustment as often as you need. The fit of your specs will alter with wear as you flex the frames every time you take them off and on. Remove your specs carefully with both hands to ensure that you don’t stretch one side. Some people need very few adjustments, but with growing children you may find periods where you need to visit every week to stop the specs slipping. Our dispensing optician is trained to ensure that your specs fit well, and will be happy to help however often you need to return.

It is very hard to choose a well-fitting spectacle frame online. Every person’s face is different, so what looks good on a model may not suit you. Different styles of frame may have the same measurements but fit differently. Always speak to a registered dispensing optician about the right frame for you.

There are risks with any surgery. According to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, complications occur in less than 5 per cent of cases, but make sure your consultant outlines all the risks. Flap complications with LASIK arise in 0-4 per cent of cases, but can usually be corrected with little or no loss of vision. Some people have a problem with dry eyes in the months after surgery and artificial tear supplements may be needed long term. Many patients have experienced glare or halo effects when night driving, particularly just after treatment. This is more likely the higher the correction that has been made, but is rarely severe. In rare cases, excessive thinning of the eye wall can cause the shape of the eye to be unstable after treatment. Severe loss of vision is very unusual, but some patients could require corneal surgery or hard contact lenses to restore vision. You should find out exactly how frequently your surgeon has experienced complications and why.

Even if you are already blind or partially sighted it is important to have your eyes checked. Just because you have one eye problem, unfortunately it doesn’t rule out other problems developing. It is important to have regular tests to look after the vision that you have. You may be under the care of the hospital and they can advise on what you need. Otherwise, speak to your local optical practice staff.

Dry eyes with irritated lids can be a sign of blepharitis. Speak to an optical practitioner who can examine your eyes and suggest the best course of treatment.

If you have mild dry eye, you can pick lubricating eye drops or gels. Ointments are stickier and can cause temporary blurring of the vision but have a longer lasting effect. Most lubricants are available from us without a prescription over the counter our Optometrist will discuss and advise which type are best for you

Children need to protect their eyes from UV just as much as adults do. Very small children and babies should not be in the sun at all: according to the NHS toddlers and older should wear sun cream, a hat and loose, baggy cotton clothes, such as an oversized T-shirt with sleeves. Protect your child’s eyes with sunglasses that meet the British Standard (BS EN ISO 12312-1*) and carry the “CE” mark. Check the label or ask a registered dispensing optician for advice. *This standard superseded BS EN ISO 1836

A Snellen chart is an eye chart that can be used to measure visual acuity. The smallest row that can be read accurately indicates the visual acuity in that specific eye. They are named after the Dutch Opthalmologist Herman Snellen who developed the chart in 1862.

Unlike prescription contacts the production and sale of cosmetic lenses is completely unregulated by UK law. By using these you are risking the health of one of the most sensitive organs in your body. Dyes used in coloured cosmetic lenses, depending on their quality, can contain toxic heavy metals, including mercury and lead which can leak into the wearer's eye and nervous system. Contact lenses are not one size fits all and should only be dispensed and fitted by qualified and General Optical Council-registered clinicians. If you experience any difficulty, complications or side effects from your lenses, please contact your Optometrist immediately.