Your Vision

Checking your vision is only part of an eye examination. By examining your eyes an optometrist can tell if you have problems with high blood pressure or diabetes and the early signs of cataracts and glaucoma.

Early detection of glaucoma can greatly improve the chances of successful treatment, and because the symptoms are not immediately noticeable, a visit to your optometrist is one of the few ways of detecting the disease. According to the RNIB up to 250,000 people in the UK have undiagnosed glaucoma.

Are you one of the 15% of drivers who have difficulty reading road signs?* Often a visit to your optometrist and a small change in prescription can make all the difference to your vision. Because changes in sight usually happen very slowly we may not be aware that we are not seeing as well as we could, having a regular examination should be a part of your health regime, in the same way as a visit to the dentist.

* Source = www.tickbox.net

NHS Entitlement

Help with the cost of eye examinations and spectacles is available for many patients. We've set out below the criteria set by the NHS and, where applicable the help you will get towards the cost of spectacles at EyeCare Opticians

ELIGIBLE FOR NHS EYE EXAMINATION

• If you are under 16 or Under 19 in full-time education **
• If you are 60 and over
• If you are 40 or over with close relative diagnosed with Glaucoma
• If you have diagnosed diabetes or glaucoma
• If you are registered blind or partially sighted
• If your prescription needs complex lenses **

If you or your partner are receiving:

• Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance**
• Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit and named on Exemption Cerificate **
• Named on HC2 or HC3 Certificate**

Categories marked ** are also eligible for free or reduced price spectacles or contact lenses