Eye tests and looking after your eyes

Why regular eye tests matter

An eye test, also called a sight test, is a key health check, not just a way to update your glasses. Many eye conditions develop slowly and painlessly, so you may not notice anything is wrong until quite a lot of sight has been lost. Conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration can often be treated or their progress slowed if they are picked up early. An eye test can also detect signs of wider health problems, because the optometrist can see the blood vessels at the back of the eye; changes there can point to conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Even if your vision seems fine, regular tests help protect your sight for the future. Think of a sight test as a routine health check for your eyes, much like other regular health checks.

What happens at an eye test

An eye test is carried out by an optometrist (also called an optician) and is painless and straightforward. They will ask about your general health, any medicines you take, and whether anyone in your family has eye problems, as some conditions run in families. You will read letters on a chart to check how clearly you see at different distances, and lenses will be tried to work out whether glasses or contact lenses would help. The optometrist examines the front and back of your eyes, often using a bright light and sometimes a puff of air or drops to check the pressure inside the eye and the health of the retina. The whole test usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Afterwards you will be told the results and given a prescription if you need one, along with advice about your eye health.

How often and who tests are free for

Most adults should have an eye test at least every two years, but some people need them more often — for example if you already wear glasses, have certain conditions such as diabetes or glaucoma, or are advised to by your optometrist. Children, older people, and anyone with a family history of eye disease may also need more frequent checks. In the UK, NHS-funded eye tests are free for many people, including children under 16 (and under 19 in full-time education), people aged 60 and over, those with diabetes or glaucoma (and certain relatives of people with glaucoma), and people on some low-income benefits. Help with the cost of glasses is also available for some groups through NHS optical vouchers. If you are unsure whether you qualify, your optician can tell you and check your entitlement.

Looking after your eyes day to day

Simple habits help keep your eyes healthy. Not smoking is one of the most important, as smoking increases the risk of serious eye conditions including macular degeneration and cataracts. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, keeping to a healthy weight, and staying active support good eye health, and they also help control conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure that can damage the eyes. Protect your eyes from strong sunlight with sunglasses that block ultraviolet light, and wear appropriate eye protection for risky tasks such as using power tools or playing certain sports. If you spend long periods looking at screens, take regular breaks to rest your eyes and blink often, as this eases tiredness and dryness. Managing long-term health conditions well is one of the best ways to protect your vision.

When to seek help urgently

Some eye symptoms need prompt or urgent attention rather than waiting for a routine test. See an optician, GP, or call NHS 111 if you notice a gradual change in your vision, ongoing eye discomfort, or increasing difficulty seeing. Seek urgent help — for example from an emergency eye service, NHS 111, or A&E — if you have a sudden loss of vision, sudden blurring, or a curtain or shadow spreading across your sight; a lot of new floaters or flashes of light; sudden eye pain, redness, and vision loss; or an injury or chemical splash to the eye. These can be signs of serious problems such as a detached retina or acute glaucoma that need fast treatment to save sight. When it comes to sudden changes in vision, it is always safer to be seen quickly than to wait.