Optometrists
Optometrists provide eye services, they will test your sight and examine the health of your eyes. Some Optometrists are trained to recognize abnormalities and diseases that are revealed in the eye, such as diabetes and glaucoma.
To be sure that your eyes are healthy and your eyesight is good it’s important to have regular sight tests even if you feel you don’t need glasses.
- Poor eyesight can be dangerous. All drivers must be sure they can meet the legal requirement of reading a number plate at 20 metres (about 5 car lengths).
- Children’s schooling can suffer if their eyes do not focus properly.
- Poor eyesight can lead to accidents and falls.
- Attending for regular eye tests will ensure that eye diseases such as glaucoma are detected at an early stage.
- Most people start to have difficulty reading small print like newspapers from about the age 45; this is quite normal. Reading glasses can be purchased in many stores but it’s important to have a proper eye test to check the eyes are healthy.
At the end of the test you will be given a form indicating whether your eyesight needs help and you can take this prescription to any optician if necessary for dispensing into glasses or contact lenses.
You can access details of the Optometrists in your area in several ways:
- You can visit www.nhs.uk and search under 'find services' using your postcode for those practices closest to your address
- Contact the Thames Valley Primary Care Agency (TVPCA) on 0118 918 3333
- Contact your local Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the leading charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss - get more information from their website - www.rnib.org.uk
