Optometry

Formerly known as opticians, optometrists specialise in primary care for your eyes, vision and related problems. They can examine your eyes to find:

• Vision defects
• Eye injuries
• Ocular diseases
• Health problems that present with symptoms in the eye, including high blood pressure and diabetes

Optometry covers primary care for your eye, offering services such as vision testing and correction, diagnosis and management of sight loss or vision changes, and routine eye testing to track these concerns.

How often you see an optometrist and have a comprehensive eye test varies and can depend on risk factors such as your age and medical history. It is recommended that everyone should see an optometrist every two years and more frequently if you have eye problems or if you're over 60. It's important to attend eye exams to maintain your eye heath.

Although most eye disorders and diseases are treated by an ophthalmologist, optometrists can diagnose and treat:  

• Eye disease
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Dry eyes
• Eye infections
• Conjunctivitis
• Blepharitis
• Eye injuries

Your optometrist will be able to offer certain tests and treatment, and if you need the help of a specialist they can refer you seamlessly to one of our consultant ophthalmologists.

If further diagnostic tests or treatments are required, these will be explained fully during your optometrist and they will most likely refer you to an ophthalmologist.

An optometrist will usually be able to supply the following:

• Contact lenses for shortsightedness, longsightedness and astigmatism
• Prescription glasses
• Handheld and illuminated magnifiers
• Telescopic spectacles for distance and near vision
• Artificial eyes
• Soft contact lenses, including:
  • Daily, weekly and monthly disposables
  • Single vision and bi-focals
  • Continuous and long term wear soft lenses
  • Gas permeable and scleral lenses
  • Tinted and cosmetic lenses

Our optometrists offer a wide variety of tests including:

Tonometry

This is a test to measure the pressure inside your eye. High pressure can be a sign of an eye condition called glaucoma. During the test, you place your chin on the device and focus on a picture while the device blows a small puff of air onto your eye.

Slit-lamp exam

When your pupils are dilated, your consultant uses a special microscope called a slit lamp to examine your eyes under high magnification.

Funduscopy (retinal camera)

We use a magnifying lens and a light to examine your fundus, which is the back of the inside of your eye, including your retina and optic nerve.

Colour vision test

This is a test to check for colour blindness and involves looking at images formed from coloured dots. The images contain numbers that you may not be able to see if you have colour vision deficiency.

Corneal topography

Corneal topography uses a computer to create a detailed map of your cornea. It is used to measure the curvature of your cornea and to diagnose astigmatism. The test is also used to fit contact lenses and prepare for corneal transplant surgery.

Dilated pupillary exam

In this, your optometrist will purposefully increase the size of your pupils in order that they can fully examine the health of your optic nerve and retina.

Refraction test

Typically used to measure your prescription for spectacles or contact lenses. It analyses how light focuses on your retina.

Visual acuity testing

This is a test where you cover one eye at a time and read letters and numbers on a chart. The letters and numbers get smaller as the chart progresses. You may also be asked to look through a device called a phoropter that has many lenses to see which best corrects your vision.

Visual field test

A visual field test checks your peripheral (outer) vision. During the test, your consultant gradually moves their finger, or an object from side to side and asks you to follow it without moving your head.

The first step to access private optometry treatment with us is usually to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. They will be able to assess and diagnose your condition and talk you through the available treatment options, and together you'll decide on the best route for you.

To book your initial consultation, call our dedicated team of advisors, or take advantage of our easy online booking system.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, specialist-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about your vision and how we can help you, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in April 2023. Next review due April 2026.

1. What is an optometrist?, The College of Optometrists
2. Optometry, NHS
3. The dilated eye exam, Bright Focus