All your eye care questions answered!

Eye tests are recommended at least every two years for adults. If you are 70 or over, or under 16, an eye test is recommended every year. If you have a history of eye disease in your family you should have one at least every year, or on the recommendation of your Optician.

Eyes don't usually let you know that something is wrong. Any change is usually very gradual, so you become accustomed to the change in your vision. Therefore, regular eye tests are important to pick up any change as soon as possible to make sure any problem can be treated before it affects vision. The eye test detects many conditions earlier than waiting for symptoms to appear. The eye test does not just check whether you need glasses, but it can show a number of underlying health problems, such as diabetes and glaucoma, and the general condition of your eyes.

Each eye test is unique to the client, however in general, as well as asking a few lifestyle related questions to establish daily strain on eyes or eye care routine, we will also test for the following:

• Vision quality, unaided and aided (with any spectacles or contacts you may use)

• Eye muscle performance

• Depth perception

• Visual field

• Colour vision (if required)

• Internal eye health check

• External eye health check

Unless you qualify for an exemption (see NHS discounts below) an eye test is £30

Although they are checked at school, it is not a full eye test. Their distance vision is normally checked but this will not detect all levels of long-sight. Short sight and large squints may be detected, but the school checks are not usually carried out by an eye care professional. For a full eye test you should take your child to a registered Optometrist. If left undetected for too long, some sight defects cannot be corrected.

Children can be tested at any age. It is recommended that an optometrist sees them before they start school and start learning to read. Often, vision problems can be the reason why a child does not perform well at school, for example because they cannot see the board. The earlier a problem is detected the more chance there is of successful treatment.

This is a common concern. We look at it this way. Firstly, only a tiny percentage of patients actually have a serious condition so the chances are that you will be fine. In the event of you having a problem it is far better to have it detected early so that it can be treated, rather than allowing it to get to a stage where effective treatment may not be so likely. Many conditions that once were difficult to treat are now able to be treated.

Possibly. Come in and let us have a look. Your Optometrist will be able to tell if you have, and if you do, he/she will send you to see your Doctor with a referral, so you can be considered for surgery. Modern cataract surgery is extremely safe and quick and patients usually enjoy very clear and bright vision straight away after surgery

Certain groups of people, such as children under 16 years old and those who are 60 and over, are eligible for free NHS eye tests.

Children under 16 and adults claiming certain types of benefits are also entitled to NHS vouchers which helps towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses.

You can book an appointment online, or call 0116 319 2800. Opening hours are 9.00am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Our opening hours are 9.00am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

To ensure that you get the best pair of glasses to suit your visual and lifestyle needs, it’s important that you get the right information and advice from our optometrist to help you make your decision. Glasses are therefore not available to buy online.

We want you to be delighted with your glasses. If you have any concerns about them, please contact us and we will be happy to resolve any issues you may have.

You'll need to pay the full amount for your glasses when you place the order. We accept cash, credit/debit cards and cheques. 

Yes.

Yes, you can bring in a prescription, dated within the last two years, from any opticians in order to buy your glasses.

Yes, we are happy to offer a repair service for our customers.

The optometrist will be able to take all the necessary steps to find out which type of lenses you need.

A high prescription can result in unacceptably thick lenses. We can offer you a ‘high index’ lens which will reduce the thickness of the lenses in your spectacles. These have to be dispensed and fitted carefully to ensure that the best vision is achieved, as well as a good cosmetic result.

Lenses that go dark in the sun are called ‘photochromic’ and nowadays a good rate and level of change is achievable in plastic lenses, for many prescriptions. We can advise you if your prescription is suitable for this type of lens. Remember, these lenses do not go fully dark in the car.  

If you use a VDU regularly your company should pay for your eye test, unless you are entitled to a free examination provided by the NHS. Your optometrist will advise you whether your prescription is either wholly or partially for use on a VDU, e.g. Varifocals, in which case your employer should contribute towards the cost of the spectacles.

Contact lenses can be a convenient choice for many people. Recent advances in lens design mean that contact lenses are comfortable, offer better vision and are more affordable. We offer a range of lenses to suit your requirements.

Contact lenses are great for people who want freedom from wearing glasses and are looking for a more natural look. They are suitable for people of all ages who live an active lifestyle and are great for sports, dancing, driving and many other activities. You’re also able to wear any choice of non-prescription sunglasses with contact lenses.

It is possible for children to wear contact lenses from a young age, and they can provide them with more freedom to participate in activities at school and in everyday lifestyle. 

Yes. Contact lenses come in many designs and only an optometrist or a contact lens optician is qualified to prescribe you contact lenses.

No. A contact lens prescription is different from a spectacle prescription.

Astigmatism is caused when the eye does not focus light evenly. Contact lenses for astigmatism have been available for several years now. Most types of astigmatism can be corrected with contact lenses. Your optometrist or a contact lens optician will take careful measurements of the exact shape of the surface of your eye and your prescription, and decide which type of contact lens will be most suitable for you. Often, due to these precise measurements, a specific lens will need to be ordered for you to try as they are harder to fit exactly to the eye. 

We will require a current, valid contact lens specification to supply your replacement contact lenses. We recommend that you should have an annual eye test and a contact lens check every 6 months, or more frequently, as advised by your optometrist or contact lens optician.

Most people cannot leave their contact lenses in all day, every day, and expect their eyes to remain healthy. It is best to let your eyes breathe normally at least every evening and preferably one whole day a week, by not wearing your contact lenses. Therefore, you need up to date glasses to use. Also, your eyes may feel irritated by the contact lenses or you may get an eye infection, in which case you would need glasses to wear instead.

No, this is not physically possible. Lenses can occasionally float off the cornea and you may have to take them out and put them in again.

No. This can cause serious eye infections.

Generally, this is not advised unless you wear a watertight goggle.

Old cases become dirty and can be a source of infection. Replacing your cases regularly reduces the risk to the health of your eyes.

For most people, soft contact lenses are very comfortable. The major cause of discomfort is dry eyes. We supply lenses and advice to try to resolve these issues.