How do eye-tests work ?
Every two years, you should have an eye exam by an optometrist to screen for any visual abnormalities. An optometrist is qualified to examine, diagnose, and give prescriptions. We have a wonderful optometrist available for eye tests in every Jimmy Fairly store here in the UK.
The 10 biggest signs that you may need glasses are :
- You suffer from blurry vision.
- You are experiencing double vision.
- Objects look distorted, and you can’t see clearly defined lines.
- You have headaches.
- You find yourself squinting to see clearer.
- In bright light, you see halos or auras around objects.
- Your eyes feel strained.
- Your vision feels distorted.
- You can’t see clearly at night and in low lit areas.
- You have noticed a change in your vision.
Prepare for your eye exam.
Here are a few tips to prepare for your eye test. By getting a good night's sleep and avoiding too much time on digital screens, you are helping prepare your eyes for a happy exam experience. Try to hold off on a morning cup of coffee (or two), and don’t drink any alcohol before your scheduled eye appointment. Remember to bring your current eyewear, and a pair of sunglasses. If you wear contact lenses, please remove them 24 hours before your eye test.
During the eye-test.
During your eye exam, our expert optometrist will introduce you to the purpose of the eye test and what happens during. The first step of an eye exam at Jimmy Fairly is an eye screening to check the overall health of your eyes. This helps to identify eye conditions like dry eyes, cataracts and glaucoma. We will also ask you some questions about your lifestyle and any health issues in your family, because some eye conditions can be hereditary.
After your eyes have been examined, they will give you information about how healthy your eyes are, and if you need changes to your prescription. They are also there to answer any questions you may have about the eye exam, or if you have any concerns about your eye health.
Eye health checks.
There are a few different checks that our optometrist can do in order to diagnose any eye conditions:
- Auto-refractor – We will show you an image in the distance, which allows the optometrist to have a rough idea of your prescription.
- Tonometer – This one can be a little uncomfortable, but our optometrist is there to help and do let them know if you need a little break! This test is to check eye pressure by sending a small puff of air into your eye.
- Slit Lamp - We use a magnifying volk lens with the slit lamp to get a live view of the back of the eye (the retina).
- Visual field test – This test allows the optometrist to check your field of vision.
Eyesight checks.
Following the checks for your overall eye health, the optometrist will begin the sight test to check your vision in detail.
Some of the common eye tests we’ll give you are:
- Visual Acuity - A visual acuity test examines how well you can see with each eye. You will be asked to identify different sized letters on a chart that’s displayed at a distance from you. Based on your results, our optometrist can determine how well you can see at a distance
- Refraction Test - This helps us decide what prescription you require. To test this, the optometrist will have you look into a machine that displays lenses of different strengths. By switching the lens in front of each eye while you read letters and numbers on a chart, we can decide which lens is best for you. This test also helps determine if you need different lenses in each eye.
Your recommendation.
After your eye test, our optometrist will talk to you about the results of both your eye health & your eyesight checks. We’ll give you a detailed but simple explanation of how healthy your eyes are, and let you know about any changes in your prescription.
We may also recommend a few lifestyle changes which could benefit your eyes, like preventing eye strain from using digital devices and nutrition. You can also ask your optician any questions you have about your vision and eye health.
If we do recommend a new pair of glasses, we’ll also help you find the perfect pair for you based on your prescription and lifestyle!
Do I still need an eye test if I have good vision ?
Even though you have good vision, you should still have your eyes checked once every one to two years. During an eye exam your eye doctor is not just checking how well you see, but your risk for eye diseases, like glaucoma and cataracts. If you have medical conditions of any kind, these could also impact your vision and eye health making a routine eye exam an important part of your health and wellness.
Getting routine eye exams can help maintain your eye health. Be sure to talk to your eye doctor if you currently have glasses or contact lenses or are experiencing any vision problems.
A family history of eye problems and certain health conditions may lead to more frequent visits, but it’s important to be checked regularly even if you aren’t at risk.
What if I need glasses but I don't wear them ?
Not wearing glasses doesn’t automatically mean that your eyesight will get worse, however, it will greatly alleviate any discomfort you may be experiencing. Think of it like this: If you experience blurry vision, your eyes will be working harder to focus on objects in front of you. This often leads to eyestrain and pain. By wearing prescription glasses, this strain is alleviated and your eyes will be able to see more clearly.
👀 Find your nearest Jimmy Fairly store here and book in your next eye test with us :