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FAQ's

How long does an eye examination last?
For an adult allow up to 30 minutes and a child 15 to 20 minutes

Am I entitled to a free eye examination?
Certain categories of people are automatically entitled to an NHS eye test. Those who are eligible are:

  • you are under 16 years of age,
  • you are 16, 17, or 18, and in full-time education,
  • you are 60 or over,
  • you have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma,
  • you are 40 or over, and your mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter has been diagnosed with glaucoma,
  • an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) has advised you that you’re at risk of glaucoma,
  • you are registered as blind or partially sighted,
  • you are prescribed complex lenses – these are lenses with a power of 10 dioptres or more, or prism controlled bifocal lenses,
  • your sight tests are usually done through a hospital eye department, as part of your care for an existing eye condition, or
  • you are a war pensioner and you need the sight test because of a disability for which you get a war pension.

You are entitled to full help with health costs, including sight tests, if you or your partner receive:

  • Income Support,
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance,
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

You can also get a free NHS sight test if you’re entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
If you’re eligible for help with NHS costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme, you can claim some or all of the cost of sight tests for you, your partner and your children.

Do I need to show proof of entitlement for an NHS eye test?
You may need to provide other proof of your entitlement to a free NHS sight test, depending on your circumstances. For example, you may need to take some of the documents or information below with you to your appointment:

  • If you are entitled to full help with health costs, you will need to show your HC2 certificate or tax credit exemption certificate to your optometrist.
  • If you are registered as blind or partially sighted, the name and address of the local authority where you are registered has to be filled in on the GOS1 form.
  • If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, or an ophthalmologist has advised that you are at risk of glaucoma, you need to put the name and address of your doctor on the GOS1 form.
  • If you already need a complex lens, if possible show the optometrist your last prescription or the glasses you are wearing.

How often can I have an NHS eye test?
If you’re eligible, you can have a free NHS sight test as often as your optometrist considers that it’s clinically necessary. This will normally be every two years.

In some circumstances, your optometrist may recommend more frequent NHS sight tests. For example, if you’re:

  • diabetic,
  • 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoma, or
  • 70 or over.
  • A young child with frequent changes of prescription

Can I get free glasses under the NHS?
There is no such thing as NHS glasses. If you are eligible for help with the cost of your glasses then you will be issued with a GOS3 voucher which can be put towards the costs involved. At Paul Lewis Optician we usually ask for a contribution towards the price of the frame.

At what age can my child have his/her eyes tested?
We can see children at any age if you have any concerns regarding there eyes or vision.

What is the difference between an Optician, an Optometrist, an Orthoptist and an Ophthalmolgist?
An Optician, known as a Dispensing Optician is trained to dispense and fit spectacles and other optical aids, working from the prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. Dispensing opticians advise patients on various types of lenses and spectacle frames, including advice on style, weight and colour. They also advise patients on how to wear and care for their spectacles or contact lenses and can adjust or repair spectacles if necessary.

An optometrist examines patients' eyes, tests their sight, gives advice on visual problems and prescribes and fits glasses or contact lenses if necessary. Optometrists are trained to recognise diseases of the eye as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes. They refer patients to medical practitioners as necessary, as well as sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic conditions.
An orthoptist investigates, diagnoses and treats sight-related problems and abnormalities of eye movement and eye position. An orthoptist is usually a member of an eye care team working with patients who have eye problems, and deals especially with problems related to:

  • ocular motility (eye movement);
  • binocular vision;
  • amblyopia (lazy eye);
  • strabismus (squint).

Ophthalmologists are medically trained doctors who have undertaken further specialist training and study in matters relating to the human eye. They examine, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the eye. They can prescribe a wide range of medicines, perform eye surgery and typically work in the Hospital Eye Service.

Can you tell if I have glaucoma?
Through specific test we can usually detect if you have glaucoma but it is up to an ophthalmologist to actually diagnose the disease.

Can computers cause vision problems?
Using a computer for a long period time probably will likely cause tired eyes, vision problems or an illness called computer vision syndrome. Symptoms are irritation and weakness of the eyes or poor accommodation—difficulty refocusing sharply when objects get closer to the eyes. The eyes can become very sensitive to glare or show poor depth perception, particularly when these problems get worse from morning to night. We also tend to blink less when at the screen and can therefore experience some dryness of the eyes.

Will you put drops in my eyes?
Sometimes it is necessary to put drops in your eyes to either allow us a larger view of the back of the eye or to stop the focussing system working when determining and underlying correction. Some of the drops may sting initially but it doesn’t last for very long.

Does wearing glasses all the time weaken my eyes?
Your eyes will change whether you wear your spectacles or not. What does happen is that you get used to good vision if you wear spectacles and then when you take them off you don’t like seeing everything blurred.

I am diabetic, will it affect my eyes?
Diabetes can alter both the focussing of the eyes and also can damage the fine blood vessels located at the back of the eye, which if left untreated can cause eventual blindness.

Can I clean my spectacle lenses with tissue paper?
Whilst we advocate using a proper microfibre cleaning cloth, a new clean soft facial tissue can be used as an alternative, always ‘huff’ on the lens first, never clean a dry lens.

Can I have glasses with a plane lens fitted?
Yes of course you can, a lot of people where glasses as a fashion accessory or feel that glasses make them look more intelligent.

My parents have glaucoma am I likely to get it as well?
Primary Angle Glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, is hereditary and therefore you are at a much higher risk of getting the disease. A family history of glaucoma increases your chances of getting it 4 to 9 fold.

Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
Whilst there are contact lenses that can be worn overnight, as a practice it is not something we encourage. We prefer people not to wear their lenses for too long to avoid any possible complications.

Can I change my contact lens solution?
It is up to the prescribing optician/optometrist to advise you on the best cleaning regime for your lenses as they know your eyes and history.

Can I lose a contact lens behind my eye?
No, there is a membrane that prevents foreign bodies going behind the eyes.

How much does an eye test cost?
Currently we charge £22.00

Can I wear contact lenses?
Most people are able to wear modern lenses, please tell the optometrist you are interested in contact lenses when you have your eyes examined or please call in to discuss your needs.

Do frame prices include lenses?
No they don’t, rather than a one size fits all approach we provide the best lenses for your individual needs and with hundreds of lenses to choose from it would be difficult to price them in this manner.