How long does an eye test take?

Eye testing will take different lengths of time, depending on age and complexity. In the majority of cases, an eye test will take at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Your vision is precious and getting regular check-ups with your optometrist will help to protect and preserve it by helping to monitor your overall eye health. While a standard eye test can take up to 30 minutes, sometimes more detailed examinations or follow up appointments are required for an optometrist to gain more in-depth insight into your eye health.

How often should you have an eye test?

You should get your eyes tested at least every two years, or more frequently as advised by your optometrist. If you have an eye condition, such as cataracts or macular degeneration, you may be advised to have more regular eye tests. This is so your optometrist can monitor your eye health and vision and support you through any changes which may occur.

You may also need to get your eyes tested more often if you have a family history of glaucoma, or if you start experiencing frequent vision changes as you age.

Children can have their eyes tested at any age, even if they can’t read letters yet, and it’s recommended that they see an optometrist before starting school and learning to read. Many areas of visual development will be completed by the age of eight, so it’s important to try and pick up any vision problems before then.

What happens in an eye test?

Eye exams are easy and painless. They allow the optometrist to examine the outside and inside of your eye, and to determine if you have any vision problems or potential eye health issues.

What to expect:

First, your optometrist will ask if you are having a routine check-up or if you have any specific concerns about your eyes. If you do have concerns, you’ll be asked more questions about your symptoms and how long you’ve had them.

You will be asked to answer some questions about your overall health, such as any medication you’re taking, or whether you have a family history of eye problems. If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to take them with you.

There are several different tests your optometrist will perform, to check different aspects of your vision and eye health.

  • Vision: The optometrist will use a Snellen chart (eye chart) to test your visual acuity, by asking you to read random letters on the chart that become smaller line by line.

  • Refraction: The optometrist will determine whether you need glasses or contact lenses with a refraction test. This is done by placing a series of lenses in front of your eye as you read the letters on the Snellen chart, to determine which lens makes them easier to see.

  • Pupils: The optometrist will use a penlight to examine your pupils and see how they contract when exposed to light.

  • Eye muscles: The optometrist will ask you to look in different directions, either at a penlight or another small object, to test your eye muscles. In certain cases, they may also check whether you have proper peripheral vision and three-dimensional vision (stereopsis).

  • External exam: The optometrist will use a magnifying device, known as a slit lamp, to examine your eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, sclera, and iris – the front parts of your eye.

  • Internal exam: You might be given eye drops to dilate your pupils. This helps the optometrist to examine the structures at the back of the eye if the pupils are small – like the retina and optic nerve – using a special torch called an ophthalmoscope, or a highly magnified lens held up alongside the slit lamp.

  • Colour blindness: Optometrists can also test for colour deficiency, using cards with a range of coloured dots in patterns that form numbers.

If you choose to have Leightons’ Ultimate Eye Exam, you will have an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan before seeing your optometrist. OCT works like an ultrasound for the eye, letting an optometrist see beyond the retina’s surface, providing a cross-section view of the layers of tissue behind the retina. This additional scan makes it easier to detect issues like diabetes, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, in some cases as early as up to five years before traditional testing methods. As eye care technology becomes more advanced, optometrists are recommending that more people include OCT as part of their regular eye exams because the earlier potential problems are detected, the easier they are to address.

What can an eye test detect?

Eye tests are about so much more than just assessing how sharp your vision is. A regular check-up will help to pick up early signs of eye disease and keep you informed about the latest products and treatments that can help you with these issues.

A routine eye test can help to detect the following medical issues:

  • Cataracts
  • Diabetes
  • Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
  • High blood pressure
  • Changes in the central vision
  • High cholesterol

The health of your eyes can provide invaluable insight into the health of your body, so regular eye tests are about so much more than simply how well you think you can see.

You can book an eye examination, or an Ultimate Eye Examination, by calling 0800 40 20 20 or you can book online. Alternatively, visit your local branch for more information.

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Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
Are contact lenses and glasses prescriptions the same?
While both glasses and contact lenses do the same job in correcting your eyesight, there are some obvious differences in how each is worn. Glasses rest on the nose and are positioned away from the eyes, whereas contact lenses are in direct contact with your eyeball. These differences are the fundamental reasons why contact lenses and glasses prescriptions are absolutely not the same. In this article, we’ll explain why in more detail. Contact lens vs glasses prescription – what’s the difference? Quite simply, the lenses in your glasses will be very different to your contact lenses. That’s because each type of lens refracts light differently and therefore during an eye test, different measurements have to be made. The measurements from one eye test are not compatible with the other. So, is the prescription for contacts the same as glasses? The answer is NO because you need to have 2 separate eye tests, which will result in 2 different prescriptions. Contact lens prescription A contact lens prescription comprises a set of measurements relating to the curvature, size and power of the contact lens along with other relevant information. These measurements are carried out by an optometrist, also known as an ophthalmic optician. Glasses prescription An optometrist or ophthalmic optician is also responsible for carrying out the actual eye tests for glasses and lenses. The tests are to determine the strength of the lenses you require, along with other factors such as eye dominance, pupillary distance and axis number. All this information will be included in your glasses prescription. Learn how to read your glasses prescription How to read your contact lens prescription Have you ever wondered what all the abbreviations and letters on your contact lens prescription mean? Read on to find out. What does Base Curve (BC) mean? Base Curve (BC) refers to the specific curve with which a contact lens is made. Different corneal curves will need different base curve lenses, although with modern more flexible contact lens materials, there is some lea way in this. What does Diameter (DIA) mean? This measurement refers to the Diameter (DIA) of the contact lens itself and corresponds with the size of your cornea. It is the measurement from one edge of the lens to the other and is measured in millimetres. What does Power/Sphere (PWR/SPH) mean? The term Power (PWR) together with Sphere (SPH) refers to the strength of the lens. For long-sightedness this figure will show a plus sign (+) and for short-sightedness, it will begin with a minus sign (-). Other contact lens prescription figures People who have an eye defect such as astigmatism, will need to wear toric lenses and therefore will see additional words or abbreviations on their prescription. The same applies to people who might have presbyopia or short-sightedness, and have a prescription for varifocal or multifocal contact lenses. Other contact lens prescription figures are Prism, which refers to a lens or lenses that are designed to correct double vision. Also, Pupillary Distance (PD), which is a term that relates to the distance between the centre of your pupils. It is measured in millimetres and it is important that this measurement is accurate to ensure clear and comfortable vision. OD - Stands for Oculus Dexter, which means ‘right eye’ OS - Stands for Oculus Sinister, which means ‘left eye’ BAL - Stands for Balance, which means both eyes are prescribed the same lenses. DS - Stands for Dioptres Sphere, which means the eyes are spherical in shape. VA - Stands for Visual Acuity, which is a measurement of how clearly a person can see with corrective lenses. This measurement is expressed as a fraction. Your contact lens prescription might also include the brand or manufacturer’s name. What does Cylinder (CYL) mean? The term Cylinder (CYL) refers to an astigmatic prescription. if you have astigmatism then your eye will be more oval-shaped as opposed to globe-shaped. With this condition, you would need specially designed contact lenses called Toric lenses. What does Axis (AX) mean? Axis (AX) refers to the angle that the cylinder or astigmatic correction is placed in order to provide clear vision. This is a number, which is measured in degrees from 0 to 179. What does Addition (ADD) mean? The term Addition (ADD) refers to the amount of additional correction required to see clearly nearby and is given over and above the distance contact lens prescription. Multifocal contact lenses will have an ‘add’ in their prescription. An ‘add’ is generally only required when you develop presbyopia (an age related inflexibility of the intraocular lens, that typically starts between age 40and 45) What does Dominant mean? Most people have a Dominant eye which they unconsciously favour slightly, and a non-dominant eye. Certain contact lenses are best fitted taking this into account (generally multifocal contact lenses). Typically the dominant eye is fitted with the D lens (for better Distance vision) and the non-dominant eye is for better Near vision (this would be the N lens). Can you convert a glasses prescription to a contact lens prescription? No, it’s not possible to do this because the optics of the lenses are different. Likewise, you cannot convert a contact lens prescription to a glasses prescription. How to get a contact lens prescription If you would like to know how to get contact lenses then you will first need to make an appointment with your optician for a contact lens prescription. Your appointment with your optician will include an assessment and a contact lens eye test. This is a different eye test to the type you would need for glasses. After your initial assessment and test, you will then need to have a contact lens fitting. Your optician will demonstrate how to safely insert and remove your lenses and how to care for them. Finally, you will receive your free written contact lens prescription. You can buy your contact lenses from the optician that carried out your eye test or you can buy them from another optician or an online supplier. Contact lenses need to be reviewed more frequently You should be aware that your eyesight can change over time so it’s important you get your eyes retested at least every 2 years. If you notice any changes in your vision at any time before that period then contact your optician for a check-up. Book a contact lens consultation today.
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