Do I need an eye test?

Eye tests play a huge part in making sure your eyes stay healthy. Not only are they important for indicating whether you need to start wearing glasses or need to change your prescription, but also for detecting some common medical conditions.
We always recommend that you book an eye test at least every two years. However, if you notice any difference in your vision, fall into a certain age group, or have started experiencing any symptoms, it’s best to book an eye test appointment as soon as possible.

Some reasons why you should book an eye test

Age

Anyone can develop problems with their sight, but some groups of people may be at a higher risk. This includes those aged 40 and over who have a family history of glaucoma and those aged 60 or over. For children we recommend starting as early as possible. If you fall into these categories it’s worth speaking to your optician to find out how often you will need an eye test.

Eye strain and headaches

If you find you’re straining your eyes when reading, using a computer or even driving, it may be because your vision is deteriorating. Getting headaches is also a key sign of this. In most cases this can be easily corrected with a pair of glasses – just book an appointment for an eye test to get the prescription you need.

Blurred vision

Blurred vision can be caused by a number of different things. These range from conditions that simply need correcting with glasses or contact lenses, to medical conditions such as glaucoma or type 2 diabetes. An eye test will be able to give a clearer understanding of what’s causing this symptom.

Floaters

These are small shapes that some people see floating in their field of vision. They can be different shapes and sizes and range from tiny black dots to cloud like spots. Although they can be caused by aging and are often harmless, if you notice these it’s important that you book an appointment to get your eyes checked immediately.

Medical condition

Diabetes and other medical conditions that could affect your eyesight, this means that you’ll have to have your eyes tested more often.

Seeing halos

Halos are bright circles that appear around light. In some cases it may just mean that you are particularly sensitive to the halo/ora that a lot of people see at night. However, in an aging eye there are other causes, which can include cataracts and some corneal conditions, so it’s worth getting this checked out.

Difficulty reading

Is reading becoming more difficult? This could be because your vision is deteriorating. Book an appointment with us and we will be able to recommend whether glasses could help rectify this.

Dry, watery, red or itchy eye

Dry or red eyes may be caused by staring at a screen without blinking for long periods of time. Eye drops can help, but if these symptoms continue book into the free Dry eye clinic at Hanson Opticians.

Poor short and/or long vision

If you are struggling with poor long and/or short vision then book an eye test and get the right glasses prescription for you.

Family history

If you have a family history of diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration and high blood pressure then you’ll need to get your eyes checked out more than once every two years. Your optician will be able to advise on how many times a year they wish to see you.