You can perform basic eyesight checks at home, like reading texts at various distances, but these are not substitutes for a professional eye examination.
You can perform basic eyesight checks at home, like reading texts at various distances, but these are not substitutes for a professional eye examination.
In the UK, NHS eye tests are free for certain groups, such as those under 16, over 60, or with specific medical conditions.
If your mother has glaucoma, you're entitled to a free NHS eye test in the UK as you're at a higher risk.
With 20/50 vision, what a person with normal vision can see clearly at 50 feet, you would need to be 20 feet away to see equally clearly.
Signs of good vision include clear and sharp vision at different distances, no frequent headaches, and no blurred or double vision. Regular eye tests are important for confirmation.
Sudden changes in vision, severe eye pain, eye injury, flashes of light, or a large number of floaters require immediate medical attention.
A sudden improvement in vision without glasses may indicate changes in blood sugar levels or other health issues and should be checked by a professional.
Floaters are small, shadowy shapes or specks that drift across your field of vision, typically more noticeable against bright backgrounds.
Very bad vision generally refers to visual acuity significantly worse than the standard 20/20 or 6/6, often not fully correctable with glasses or contact lenses.
Blurry vision in one eye can be due to a number of factors including refractive errors, cataracts, or more serious conditions, necessitating an eye examination.
Seeing grey or having a grey spot in your vision can be a sign of an eye health issue and should be evaluated by an optometrist or ophthalmologist
Normal aging signs include presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects), needing more light to see, changes in colour perception, and dry eyes.
Most opticians use standardised eye charts for vision testing, but there can be variations, especially in the types of charts used (e.g., Snellen, LogMAR)
6/5 vision (better than the standard 6/6 or 20/20) is excellent and more than adequate for driving in the UK.
The 20/20 line on an eye chart is typically situated towards the bottom, as it represents the standard for normal visual acuity.
If you're unable to read the eye chart, the optician will use other methods to assess your vision and determine the correct prescription or identify any eye health issues.