Why have an eye test?

Most people no longer question why they should go for regular dental check-ups, yet many have no idea of the value of going for regular eye examinations.

An eye test doesn’t just tell you how short- or long-sighted you are. It can also reveal eye conditions that may be more serious, and some of these conditions, if diagnosed early, can be prevented from developing further. An example of this is glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a disease that patients often don’t notice in themselves until it’s too late. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious sight loss or even blindness. Yet a simple eye test is all that’s needed to detect glaucoma, and its development can easily be arrested and sight saved.

Glaucoma usually affects people over the age of 40, but that doesn’t mean that younger people shouldn’t go for eye tests. For more detailed information on the eye care needs of children visit - children and eye health.

How often?

How often you should go for a test varies with age. Guide Dogs recommends that children be taken for an eye examination by the age of three, and every two years after this (or more often if recommended by your optometrist). Children under the age of 16 (or under 19 if in full-time education) are entitled to free eye tests on the NHS. To find out who else is eligible to a test for free visit - free eye tests.

At 40, you should have a full eye examination, with follow-up exams about every two years (or more often if recommended by your optometrist). Age increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, but remember, if detected early, the development of some diseases can be slowed or halted.

At 70 and beyond, you should have a full eye examination every year, even if you think your vision is good. If you are 60 or over you can get an eye test for free. 

Find out what happens at an eye test, and what all the tests are for - visit what happens at an eye test?