Eye Tests

Overview

An eye test is a check of how well you see and how healthy your eyes are. It is not just about getting glasses. It can find eye problems early, sometimes before you notice any change in your sight.

Very common. Most people have eye tests at some point, and many have them every 1 to 2 years or as advised.

Everyone. They are especially important for children, people over 40, people with diabetes, and anyone with a family history of eye disease.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• No symptoms at all, which is common.
• Blurred vision or trouble seeing things clearly.
• Headaches or eye strain after reading, using screens, or doing close work.
• Squinting, rubbing your eyes, or needing to sit closer to see.
• Difficulty seeing at night or in low light.
• Glare or halos around lights.
• Frequent changes in your glasses prescription.
• Red, watery, dry, or itchy eyes.
• Double vision.

Symptoms in children

• Squinting or closing one eye to see.
• Sitting very close to the TV or holding books close to the face.
• Rubbing eyes often or complaining of headaches.
• One eye turning in or out.
• Tilting the head or covering one eye.
• Falling behind at school or trouble copying from the board.
• Avoiding reading or close work.
• Not noticing things at the side of their vision.

Symptoms in older adults

• Needing brighter light to read.
• Small print becoming harder to see.
• Glare from headlights or lamps.
• Colors looking faded.
• More floaters (tiny specks or cobwebs) or dry eyes.
• Frequent changes in glasses strength.
• Difficulty judging steps or curbs, which can increase fall risk.
• Halos around lights.

Causes

Main causes

• Refractive errors, such as short-sight, long-sight, or astigmatism. These are focusing problems caused by the shape of the eye.
• Age-related changes in the lens and eye muscles.
• Eye strain from long periods of screen use or close work.
• Health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Family history of eye disease such as glaucoma.
• Side effects of some medicines. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
• Eye injury or eye infection.

Risk factors

• Being over 40.
• A family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other eye disease.
• Diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
• Smoking.
• Long periods on screens or doing close work.
• Previous eye injury or eye surgery.
• Taking some medicines that can affect the eyes.
• Being born prematurely.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have sudden loss of vision or a sudden curtain or shadow over your sight.
• You have severe eye pain, a red painful eye, or a chemical splash in the eye.
• You have an eye injury or something stuck in your eye.
• You have new flashes of light or a sudden shower of floaters.
• You have eye pain, redness, or blurred vision while wearing contact lenses.
• You have sudden double vision, or vision changes with weakness, slurred speech, or a severe headache.

Book a routine appointment if:

• It has been 2 years or more since your last eye test, or the time your optometrist advised.
• You have new or worsening trouble seeing, headaches, or eye strain.
• You have diabetes. Diabetic eye screening is usually offered regularly.
• You are over 40 and have not had an eye test for a while.
• You have a family history of eye disease.
• Your child has trouble reading, learning, or seeing the board at school.
• You need a new glasses prescription or your glasses no longer feel right.

Diagnosis

An eye test is usually done by an optometrist. They will ask about your vision, health, family history, and medicines. Then they check your sight and the health of your eyes. Your GP may do some basic checks, but a full eye test is usually done at an optometry practice.

Tests that may be done

• Visual acuity test: reading letters or symbols on a chart.
• Refraction test: trying different lenses to find the best focus for your eyes.
• Eye pressure test: a quick puff of air or a small probe gently touches the eye.
• Visual field test: spotting lights at the side of your vision.
• Slit-lamp exam: looking at the front of the eye with a bright light and microscope.
• Dilated eye exam: drops widen the pupil so the back of the eye can be checked.
• Retinal photography or scan: a picture of the back of the eye.
• Children may have tests using pictures, matching games, or a special camera.

What to expect at your appointment

The test usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. Bring your glasses or contact lenses and a list of your medicines. Drops used to widen the pupil can blur your vision and make your eyes sensitive to light for a few hours. Ask if you need someone to help you get home, and do not drive until your vision is clear.

Treatment

An eye test itself needs no treatment. If a problem is found, the optometrist will explain what it means and may refer you to your GP or an ophthalmologist (a doctor who treats eye disease). Treatment depends on what is found. Many findings are mild, some need monitoring, and some need treatment.

Self-care at home

• Wear your glasses or contact lenses as advised.
• Give your eyes regular breaks from screens. Try looking at something far away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
• Use good lighting for reading and close work.
• Wear protective eyewear for DIY, sports, or work hazards.
• Manage health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Stop smoking, and ask for help if you need it.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor if a medicine could be affecting your eyes.
• Keep your follow-up eye test appointments.

Medical treatments

Treatment may include glasses or contact lenses, visual aids, eye exercises for some focusing problems, lubricating eye drops for dry eyes, or specialist care for eye disease. An ophthalmologist may prescribe treatment or recommend procedures. Ask about the benefits, risks, and follow-up for any option.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only needed for some eye conditions, such as cataracts or certain types of glaucoma. It is not part of a routine eye test. Your eye specialist would discuss whether surgery is an option for you.

Living with this condition

Keep your glasses clean and in good repair. Use brighter light for reading and hobbies. If your eyes are dilated at an appointment, arrange help getting home. Make your home safer to reduce trip hazards, especially if your vision has changed.

Lifestyle tips

• Protect your eyes from strong sun with sunglasses.
• Use safety glasses for DIY, sports, and hazardous work.
• Take regular screen breaks and adjust screen brightness.
• Stay physically active.
• Do not smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Keep up with health checks for diabetes and blood pressure.

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables supports general health, including your eyes. Regular exercise helps your heart and blood flow. No special diet replaces regular eye tests.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is normal to feel worried if you notice changes in your vision or are waiting for test results. Most eye problems found early can be watched, corrected, or treated. If worry or low mood is affecting your daily life, talk to your GP or a local mental health service. If you feel in crisis, contact your local emergency number or crisis support service.

Prevention

You cannot prevent the need for eye tests, but regular tests can prevent some vision loss by finding problems early. You can also lower your risk of eye injury and some eye diseases by protecting your eyes and managing your general health.

Vaccines

No vaccine prevents the need for eye tests. Routine vaccines can prevent some infections that may affect the eyes. Ask your clinician which vaccines are recommended for you.

Screening programmes

Many adults are advised to have an eye test every 2 years, or more often if their optometrist recommends it. In the UK, NHS eye tests are available for some groups, and diabetic eye screening is offered to people with diabetes. Children may have vision screening at school or with a health visitor. Ask your local service what applies to you.

Complications

If left untreated

• Some eye diseases can damage sight before you notice symptoms.
• Uncorrected vision problems can affect learning, work, and safety.
• Poor vision increases the risk of falls and accidents.
• Diabetes-related eye disease may go unnoticed without regular screening.

Long-term outlook

Most eye problems found on a test can be watched, corrected, or treated. Regular eye tests are a simple way to protect your sight and catch problems early.

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