Eye tests are an important part of protecting your sight, even if your vision feels normal. Learn what your optometrist looks for and how advanced technology provides a more complete picture of your eye health.
Author: Jo Lindley
Last reviewed by: Nikhil Manohar
Your eyesight can change gradually, often without you noticing. A regular eye test does more than check whether you need new glasses, it also gives your optometrist an opportunity to examine the health of your eyes and identify signs that may need further investigation.
More than two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant effect on their daily lives [1]. Regular eye tests can help detect certain eye conditions at an earlier stage, when treatment or monitoring may be most effective.
An eye test can identify changes to your vision, including:
Your optometrist will also examine the health of your eyes for signs of conditions such as:
Many eye conditions do not cause noticeable symptoms during their early stages. Regular eye tests can therefore be important even when your vision seems clear and comfortable, as professional assessments using advanced technology can help optometrists detect early signs of eye conditions.
The eyes can sometimes show signs associated with wider health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, which can be detected through retinal photography included in all our private eye tests.
An eye test does not replace a medical assessment or provide a diagnosis of these conditions. However, your optometrist may recommend that you speak to your GP or another healthcare professional if they notice something that requires further investigation.
Children’s vision plays an important role in their learning, development and everyday activities. However, children may not always realise that their vision is unclear, as they often assume that what they see is normal.
Regular eye tests can help identify vision problems at an early stage, including short-sightedness, long-sightedness and issues with eye coordination. Early detection can support better visual development and help prevent difficulties with reading, concentration and school performance.
Children should usually have their first eye test around the age of two, or earlier if there are any concerns about their vision. We recommend that children under 8 have an eye test every year, as this is a key stage in visual development and regular checks help to ensure a child’s vision is developing normally.
NHS-funded eye tests are available for children under 16, and for young people under 19 who are in full-time education.
You can learn more about the importance of early eye care in our guide to the importance of eye tests for children.
Most people should have an eye test at least once every two years, unless their optometrist recommends more frequent appointments.
You may be advised to visit more regularly depending on your age, prescription, medical history, family history or risk of developing an eye condition.
You should not wait until your next routine appointment if you experience a sudden change in your vision, flashes of light, a significant increase in floaters, a dark shadow across your sight, eye pain or sudden vision loss. Seek urgent professional advice or book an emergency eyecare appointment immediately.
Regular eye tests cannot prevent every eye condition, but they can help detect problems sooner.
For example, glaucoma can gradually damage the optic nerve without causing obvious symptoms at first. Although existing damage cannot be reversed and glaucoma cannot currently be cured, treatment can slow or prevent further deterioration. This makes early detection particularly important.
If your vision has changed because of myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia or astigmatism, your optometrist can recommend suitable glasses or contact lenses to help you see more clearly. Children and young people with progressing myopia may also be suitable for myopia management following a full assessment.
Alongside regular eye tests, a few everyday choices can support your general eye health:
When using digital screens, the 20-20-20 rule can help give your focusing muscles a break: every 20 minutes, look at something around 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
At Leightons, your eye test is tailored to you. Our optometrists take time to understand your vision, lifestyle, eye health and any concerns you may have.
Alongside your vision and prescription checks, we use advanced imaging technology to build a more detailed picture of your eye health.
A 45-degree retinal fundus photograph is a detailed colour image of the central retina, including the macula, optic nerve, and blood vessels, used to monitor eye health over time.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning is a non-invasive test that uses light to produce cross-sectional images of the retina, helping detect subtle changes in its layers.
Optomap ultra-widefield imaging is an ultra-wide image of the retina capturing up to 200 degrees in a single view, showing around 80% of the retinal surface, including the peripheral areas.
Each type of imaging provides different information:
These technologies complement one another, helping your optometrist build a more complete picture of your eye health.
OCT and Optomap are included as part of the Leightons Ultimate Eye Examination, combining detailed central scans with a wider view of the retina.
Read more in our retinal photography article.
Regular eye tests play an important role in maintaining your overall eye health, even if you haven’t noticed any changes in your vision. They can help detect issues early, ensure your prescription is accurate, and provide peace of mind about your long-term eye care.
Book your appointment today to take the next step in protecting your vision.
Sources
[1] Vision Matters (n.d.) Home. Available at: https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/ (Accessed: 23 July 2026).
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