screening for eye

Overview

Eye screening is a safe and simple check to look for early signs of eye disease. It is different from a standard eye test for glasses. Screening aims to find problems early, before you notice any symptoms, so that treatment can help protect your vision.

Yes. Many eye conditions become more common with age. Vision loss affects millions of people worldwide, but many cases are avoidable if found early.

People of all ages can have eye screening. It is especially important for older adults, people with diabetes, people with a family history of eye disease, and anyone who has noticed changes in their vision.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Seeing flashes of light
• Floaters (small moving specks in your vision)
• Eye pain or redness
• Sensitivity to light

Symptoms in children

• Squinting or closing one eye to see
• Holding books or tablets very close to the face
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Headaches or tired eyes
• Eyes that do not point in the same direction

Symptoms in older adults

• Harder to read or see in dim light
• Colours seem faded or less bright
• Needing a brighter lamp for daily tasks
• Straight lines appearing wavy
• Missing steps or tripping more often
• Shadows or dark spots in your vision

Causes

Main causes

• Raised pressure inside the eye (glaucoma)
• Damage to the retina from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
• Age-related changes to the macula (age-related macular degeneration)
• A cloudy lens (cataract)
• Refractive errors such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism

Risk factors

• Getting older
• Having diabetes or high blood pressure
• Being very short-sighted
• A family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Taking certain prescribed medicines over a long period

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Contact a same-day appointment if you notice sudden new floaters, flashes of light, redness with pain, or any sudden change in your vision.
• If you have eye pain, injury, or have been exposed to a chemical, seek an urgent same-day review with your local emergency service or eye casualty.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Have a routine eye test every two years if you are 40 or over.
• Have more frequent checks if you have diabetes, a family history of eye disease, or have been told to attend regular screenings.
• Children should have routine eye checks at school, and sooner if you have any concerns.

Diagnosis

An eye care professional such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist carries out screening. You may first read letters on a chart to check sharpness of vision, and then have a full eye examination using a special microscope. Often, drops are used to widen your pupils so the back of the eye can be seen clearly.

Tests that may be done

• Reading letters from a chart (visual acuity test)
• Checking pressure inside the eye with a puff of air or a small device (tonometry)
• Examining the back of your eye after pupil-dilating eye drops
• Taking a photograph of the retina
• Testing your side vision (visual field test)

What to expect at your appointment

Screening usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You may need to have eye drops that make your eyes feel blurry for a few hours, so arrange a lift home if possible. The results will be explained to you, and you may be given a written summary.

Treatment

If screening finds a problem, your care team will talk with you about the next steps. Many problems can be treated or slowed down. The goal is to protect your sight and help you carry on with your daily life.

Self-care at home

• Wear sunglasses to reduce glare and protect your eyes from UV light.
• Give your eyes regular breaks from screens — try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Stop smoking if you smoke, as it can damage your sight.
• Take any prescribed medicines as directed and manage your blood sugar and blood pressure.

Medical treatments

Treatments for eye conditions depend on the cause. They can include prescription eye drops to lower pressure or treat inflammation, laser treatment for diabetic changes or glaucoma, injections into the eye for conditions such as macular degeneration, and sometimes oral medicines. Your specialist will explain the options, benefits, and risks before starting any treatment. Medicines are prescribed individually for your situation.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery may be considered for cataracts (to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one), for some types of glaucoma, or for retinal detachment. It is always a decision made with your eye specialist, and you will be given clear information about what to expect.

Living with this condition

If you are living with a sight condition, make your home easier to navigate by using bright, even lighting and contrasting colours. Keep important items in familiar places and consider using magnifiers or large-print labels. Attend all follow-up eye appointments so your condition can be monitored.

Lifestyle tips

• Attend all follow-up appointments and eye checks.
• Wear the best glasses or contact lenses you are prescribed.
• Avoid eye strain by taking regular breaks when reading or using screens.
• Use eye protection for gardening, sports, or DIY tasks, and wear sunglasses in bright sun.

Diet and exercise

A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, fruit, fish, and nuts gives your eyes useful antioxidants and nutrients. Regular physical activity can lower the risk of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure that harm your eyesight.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

A change in your vision can bring on sadness, frustration, or worry. These feelings are normal. It can help to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or a counsellor. If you are feeling very low or anxious, reach out to your general practice for guidance. There is always help available.

Prevention

You cannot prevent all eye conditions, but you can lower your risk. Regular screening, managing diabetes and blood pressure, not smoking, protecting your eyes from injury and bright sunlight, and eating a healthy diet all help.

Vaccines

Some infectious diseases that can damage your eyes are preventable by routine vaccination. Keep your routine vaccinations up to date as recommended in your local area.

Screening programmes

For most adults, the NHS recommends a full eye test every two years. Some people may need more frequent checks — for example, those with diabetes, people over 60, or people with a family history of glaucoma. Children also have routine screenings at school. Ask your local health service what is right for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• Untreated glaucoma can cause irreversible and permanent loss of side vision and, later, central vision.
• Untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to bleeding into the eye and severe vision loss.
• Age-related macular degeneration can make the centre of your vision blurry or dark, making reading and recognising faces harder.
• In severe, untreated cases, some eye conditions can cause total blindness, though this is uncommon with early screening and treatment.

Long-term outlook

Most people who attend screening are told their eyes are healthy. For those who need treatment, many conditions can be managed successfully. Even if some vision is lost, support services, low vision aids, and rehabilitation training can help you stay active and independent. Screening is one of the best ways to protect your sight for the future.

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