Previously known as ophthalmic opticians, optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, test sight, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe and dispense spectacles or contact lenses. They also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate. Optometrists are trained to recognise eye diseases, referring such cases as necessary, and can also use or supply various eye drugs.

Optometrists study at university for at least three years and participate in a full year of training and supervision, called the pre-registration year, before qualifying. Once qualified, they have the opportunity to develop their interests in specialist aspects of practice such as contact lenses, eye treatment, low vision, children’s vision and sports vision.

All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council, the profession’s regulatory body, and are listed in the Opticians Register. When choosing an optometrist, look out for the letters FCOptom or MCOptom after his or her name. It means that optometrist is a fellow or member of the College and adheres to high standards of clinical practice.

There are currently around 10,400 registered optometrists in the UK.

Dispensing Optician

Dispensing opticians advise on, fit and supply spectacle frames and lenses after taking account of each patient's lifestyle and vocational needs. Dispensing opticians are also able to fit contact lenses after undergoing further specialist training. They are registered with and regulated by the General Optical Council and their representative body is the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

There are currently around 5,300 qualified dispensing opticians in the UK

Eye Examination

An eye examination is a battery of tests performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist assessing vision and ability to focus on and discern objects, as well as other tests and examinations pertaining to the eyes. All people should have periodic and thorough eye examinations as part of routine care by the primary care physician, especially since many eye diseases are silent or asymptomatic. Eye examinations may detect potentially treatable blinding eye diseases, ocular manifestations of systemic disease, or signs of tumours or other anomalies of the brain.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the cornea or lens is not perfectly round. It is sometimes described as the eye being shaped like a rugby ball rather than a football. Most people have a small amount of astigmatism, which may not need correcting. If vision is blurred or headaches occur, your optometrist may recommend glasses are worn all the time or just for specific tasks.

Varifocals

Varifocal lenses, also known as progressive lenses, are used for correcting presbyopia but unlike bifocal lenses have no visible dividing lines between the different corrections. Instead they have a graduated section in which the power of the lens progresses smoothly from one prescription to the other, allowing the wearer to see clearly at all distances. These lenses also have the benefit of looking better - they don't draw attention to the ageing process. A range of varifocal designs is available depending on your lifestyle and occupation. Modern lens technology means that there are many different designs and materials to choose from. Your optometrists or dispensing optician will be able to advise you on the best lenses to suit your individual requirements.

Laser Surgery

Laser eye treatment involves the precise reshaping of the cornea, the transparent window that covers the coloured part of the eye. For treatment to be permanent, it must take place beneath the thin, protective outer layer. This layer is gently moved aside in order to let the laser do its work.
There are two fundamental types of treatment: LASIK and LASEK. They differ only in the way the eye is prepared for treatment. The actual re-shaping process is exactly the same in both cases.

LASIK has been performed since the mid 1990s and is the commonest procedure currently offered in the UK. Most types of refractive error can be corrected with LASIK but it may not be suitable for correcting high prescriptions. A cut is made across the cornea and a flap of tissue is raised. The exposed surface is then re-shaped using the excimer laser and the flap is replaced.

LASEK is similar to PRK but the surface layer (epithelium) of the cornea is retained as a flap. Retaining the epithelium is thought to prevent complications and speed up healing.

Safety & Sports Spectacles

Special lenses and frames incorporating eye protection are available for a variety of safety and recreational uses

NHS Vouchers

You can get vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you:

• are under 16
• are aged 16, 17 or 18 in full-time education
• need complex lenses
• are getting, or your partner gets:
  - Income Support
  - Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are not income related)
  - Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate

Prescription

An eyeglass prescription is a written order by an opthalmologist or an optometrist to a dispensing optician for spectacles. It specifies the refractive power to which the spectacles are to be made in order to correct blurred vision due to refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

Titanium, Nickel free & hypoallergenic

If metal frames bring about an allergic reaction, nickel's usually the cause as most metal frames are made of a nickel alloy. Stainless, titanium, gold, silver and titanium are usually hypoallergenic as are most plastic frames.

UV

Our ability to see depends entirely on light, yet certain kinds of light can actually be bad for our eyes. One kind of light - ultraviolet (UV) radiation - appears to contribute to a variety of disorders, including cataracts, cornea damage and, perhaps most importantly, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Protection can be achieved by simple and safe methods such as using eyewear that absorbs UV radiation.

Presbyopic

Presbyopia is the loss of focusing ability that occurs naturally with age. In younger people, the lens is very flexible and the eye has a wide range of focus from far distance to close up. As you get older, the lens slowly loses its flexibility leading to a gradual decline in ability to focus on near objects. Presbyopia is not a disease but a normal and expected change which sooner or later affects everyone, whether you already wear glasses or contact lenses or not. Around the age of 40-45, you will begin to notice that you are holding the newspaper further away or need more light to read small print. There is no advantage in delaying using reading glasses, or changing to bifocals or varifocals. They will not make the eyes lazy. Your optometrist will advise you on the best form of vision correction to suit your individual lifestyle and occupation.

Regular examinations are important throughout life, whether or not you are experiencing problems with your eyesight. Your optometrist will not only test your vision and, if necessary, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, but will also check closely for any early signs of eye disease or other medical condition.

Short Sighted
(myopia)

Short sight occurs when light is focused in front of the retina causing distance vision to become blurred. Near vision, however, is usually clear. Short sight normally develops in childhood or adolescence and is often first noticed at school. Glasses may need to be worn all the time or just for driving, watching TV or sports.

Long Sighted
(hypermetropia)

Long sight occurs when light is focused behind the retina rather than on it, and the eye has to make a compensating effort to re-focus. This can cause discomfort, headaches or problems with near vision. Glasses may need to be worn all the time or just for close work, such as reading, writing or computer use. In older people, as re-focusing becomes more difficult, distance vision may also become blurred.

Bifocal Lenses

Bifocal lenses contain two optical corrections with a distinct dividing line between the two parts. The most common use of bifocals is for people who have become presbyopic and need a different prescription for close work. The upper part of the lens corrects distance vision and the lower half is for near vision. Trifocals are also available that have three sections and incorporate a correction for intermediate vision. Bifocals and trifocals come in a range of designs but nowadays varifocal lenses are much more likely to be prescribed.

Progressive Lenses

Varifocal lenses, also known as progressive lenses, are used for correcting presbyopia but unlike bifocal lenses have no visible dividing lines between the different corrections. Instead they have a graduated section in which the power of the lens progresses smoothly from one prescription to the other, allowing the wearer to see clearly at all distances.

These lenses also have the benefit of looking better - they don't draw attention to the ageing process. A range of varifocal designs is available depending on your lifestyle and occupation. Modern lens technology means that there are many different designs and materials to choose from. Your optometrists or dispensing optician will be able to advise you on the best lenses to suit your individual requirements.

Silicone Hydrogel

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses represent a breakthrough over traditional hydrogel soft contact lenses, because silicone lets so much oxygen (essential for a healthy cornea) pass through the lens.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the cornea or lens is not perfectly round. It is sometimes described as the eye being shaped like a rugby ball rather than a football. Most people have a small amount of astigmatism, which may not need correcting. If vision is blurred or headaches occur, your optometrist may recommend glasses are worn all the time or just for specific tasks.

Cataracts

Over half of those over 65 have some cataract development and most cases can be treated successfully with surgery. A cataract is not a skin that grows over the eye but a clouding of part of the eye called the lens. Vision becomes blurred or dim because light cannot pass through the clouded lens to the back of the eye.

Cataracts can form at any age, but most often are a natural consequence of getting older. They develop slowly and are painless. In younger people they can result from an injury, taking certain medication, long-standing inflammation, or illnesses such as diabetes.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve (the nerve at the back of the eye) is damaged, often in association with raised pressure within the eye. This leads to a reduction in the field of vision and in the ability to see clearly. In most cases glaucoma sufferers will experience no symptoms until significant damage has occurred.