Eye Examinations
Our eye examinations make use of the latest technology to ensure you have a thorough test
Private & NHS Eye Examinations
Whether you have recently been to the opticians, or haven’t had an eye exam in a little while, you will probably be familiar with many of the tests that are routinely carried out like reading different sized letters off a chart on the wall, designed to test your visual acuity – how well you can see – but eye examinations are about more than just your vision.
The back of your eye can display tiny but extremely important early warning signs of a variety of problems. These include eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as general health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes and even heart disease. Often these changes are evident in your eyes long before any other symptoms begin to show; for that reason, it is essential to monitor the internal structures of your eyes regularly.
Additional tests, for example a Visual Field Test or OCT may also be advised.
We recommend an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) at each visit
OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography and is an Optometrists equivalent of the Dentists X-rays, it is not invasive, a bit like ultrasound but uses none visible light instead of sound, it lets us see things that cannot be seen directly during a normal sight test). We recommend an OCT at each visit so that a digital image of the back of your eye can be taken and recorded. Andrew and the Optometrists at Thornton Optometry & Co have over ten years training and experience of OCT technology with the additional qualification of Professional Certificate of Medical Retina, assuring an advanced level of understanding when interpreting its findings. The OCT provides us with historic data that can monitor the health of your eyes and helps us to check for any early signs of eye disease.
NHS sight tests, for eligible patients are “free of charge” with the recommended option of OCT at £20.
Children's Examinations
When should your child have their first eye examination?
- Between the ages of 2 and 8 a child’s visual system is rapidly changing so get them tested regularly
- If there is a family history of a lazy eye (amblyopia), a turn in the eye (strabismus) or other congenital eye conditions then your child should be examined between the ages of 1-2 years.
- All children should have their eyes examined before they start school.
- A child will often not report that their vision is blurred as they assume this is how everyone sees.
Does your child have vision problems?
These are some of the more common signs and symptoms:
- Not being able to see the school board/TV
- One eye turning (may only be present when tired or ill)
- Headaches, especially towards the evening
- Eye rubbing or blinking
- Complaining of double vision
Short-sightedness (Myopia)
Up until the age of seven or eight years old, most minor eye conditions that your child might be experiencing can often be completely rectified. Correcting vision during this early stage in their life is important, as an undiagnosed eye problem could become permanent and irreversible in the future.
Our friendly and approachable opticians use a variety of specialist equipment and techniques to keep children engaged throughout their assessment.
At the end of your child’s appointment, you will be given plenty of time to discuss any concerns you might have, and for our opticians to explain any findings they may have detected.
Buy your spectacles where you have you eyes examined.
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Other Services
Eye Plan
Eye plan offers you an option of a direct debit payment scheme depending on your needs, to help spread the costs for your eyecare. This can be used by Private and NHS patients.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are available in a variety of options, from ‘dailies’ which are disposed of after every use, to fortnightly and monthly options which can be cleaned at the end of every day and reused, up to their licensed re-usable period.