Eye tests are for everyone, even if you don’t wear glasses. Let us explain why you should book one, plus what to expect when you do.
Do my eyes need testing?
We recommend having your eyes tested every two years, even if they feel 100%. Our eyes change with time, so it’s important you know what’s going on with yours.
If you’re not due a routine check-up any time soon, here’s some tell-tell signs you should consider booking an eye test now:
You can feel your eyes squinting, struggling to focus on details
You have to adjust the distance from which you’re reading your phone or laptop
You’re spending more time in front of a screen than outside in fresh air
Your eyes feel dry, or itchy — just generally uncomfortable
Headaches are becoming commonplace
Your vision at night isn’t sharp (especially important when driving)
Your current glasses no longer feel like they’re working
You lost or damaged your glasses
What happens during an eye test?
The ultimate purpose of an eye test is to asses your eyes for common refractive errors (or vision conditions), including:
Myopia: Difficulty in seeing objects at distance
Hyperopia: Difficulty in seeing objects up close
Astigmatism: Distorted vision due to irregular curvature of the cornea
Presbyopia: Difficulty reading at arm's length
Once we know exactly what's up with your eyes, we can advise how much correction is needed in your lenses. These corrections are represented by a series of numbers which make up your prescription.
An eye examination goes a little something like this:
Patient consultation: We begin by discussing any eye symptoms you may be experiencing. We ask a few questions relating to your eye health, but also your general health, to understand your specific needs. It’s helpful if you know a little about your family’s health history.
Current visual measurement: If you’ve brought your current prescription or glasses along, we’ll measure how well these are performing for you.
Auto-refraction test: We use a precise optical instrument to shine a beam of (harmless) light directly into the eye, quickly scanning to assess its shape and focus.
Subjective refraction test: We test your visual acuity by having you focus on an electronic wall chart (with rows of letters and symbols) and recite what you can see. Lenses and filters are exchanged in front of your eyes to see how each performs at short and long distances. We then measure them as a pair, to see how comfortably they perform together. Careful interpretation of the results allows us to determine your glasses prescription to a high level of accuracy.
External eye examination: We use an illuminated microscope to closely scan the front of each eye, making sure the external eye structures are normal and healthy.
Internal eye examination: Using state-of-the art instruments, we take a highly detailed, 3D live view inside of your eyes, making sure there are no signs of abnormalities or disease. Where needed, we also take high-resolution digital photos of each retina.
Eye pressure test*: By blowing a small puff of air on to each eye, we’re able to measure its pressure. It’s a simple preventative screening test for those who may be at increased risk of glaucoma.
Visual field testing: We accurately test your peripheral vision to make sure that each eye has a full, uninterrupted field of view. This is especially important during a driving vision test, as well as for health screening.
Results and advice: Your feedback throughout the test means, together, we arrive at a solution tailored to your needs — our goal is to improve the quality and comfort of your eyesight. We talk you through our findings and will advise you about preventative eye health care, or if you require follow-up checks.
Your prescription: To make your life easy, we save your prescription to your online account, as well as issuing you with a paper copy — so it’s available to you whenever you need it.
Each eye test is performed by a qualified and registered optometrist. It is a comprehensive eye health screening — not just an assessment of your vision — completed using state-of-the-art technology.
*Please note that examination process varies slightly in each market, dependent on local regulations.
Be prepared
Before your eye test, we ask a few simple things of you:
Please be on time. So to avoid delays for others, we have to cancel and reschedule your appointment if you arrive more than 5 minutes late.
If you normally wear glasses, please bring them along! A written prescription also works.
If you normally wear soft contact lenses, please take them out 30 minutes before your appointment.
If you normally wear hard contact lenses, please take them out 12 hours before your appointment.
