Optician FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

It would be very helpful if you can bring any previous eye test records and the spectacles that you normally use with you For your appointment. It would also be helpful if you could note to the names of any prescription drugs or medication that you may be taking.

You can get a free eye test if you are due for your eye test and are eligible for NHS services. To check if you are eligible please see the criteria below:
If you live in England or Wales, you may be eligible to receive a free NHS eye test. To find out if you’re eligible – review the NHS requirements listed below:
Are you aged 60 or above?
Are you registered as blind or partially sighted?
Have you been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma?
Has an optician advised that you could be at risk of glaucoma?
Are you aged 40 or over and a close family member has been diagnosed with glaucoma?
Are you entitled to, or named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate?
Are you on a low income and named on a valid HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) certificate?
If you meet any of the above requirements, speak with a member of our team on 020-8743-7552 or visit us in store

You can book your eye test or contact lens test by us calling on 020-8743-7552 and one of our staff would assist you in booking an appointment for you at your convenience. Alternatively you can book online by clicking here.
You can Call Us to book your appointment on the following times:
10 am - 6 pm Monday to Sunday
A standard eye test would cost £20 (Including a free OCT retinal scan)

To amend your opticians appointment you can call us on 020-8743-7552 and one of our staff will help you find a more convenient time to have your test done.
You can call us from 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Sunday.
You can also email us on: [email protected]

An eye test is a comprehensive test where an optician tests the quality of your vision and your eye health for any conditions. Eye tests also check for your prescription in glasses which is different to the prescription for contact lenses.
During a contact lens test we will check the health of the front surface of your eye. We will also measure the shape of the eye. From this information we will select a lens suitable for your eye shape and health as well as finding the appropriate prescription for contact lenses

When you arrive to our optician we will first do a pre-screening examination to get some general information about the health of your eyes.
During the pre-screening, we will take measurements of the shape of your eye and may need to take pressure readings of your eyes.
We also do A free OCT retinal scan for anybody who does an eye test with us. This helps us to diagnose any eye conditions and also to help monitor the health of your eyes over time.
You will then be taken for your eye examination where the optometrist will do all the necessary tests required.

You can only have a contact lens test with a valid eye test prescription. This is because we need up-to-date measurements of your eyes to get the best results for your contact lens prescription. If you would like contact lenses And do not have an up-to-date prescription you can book your eye test by clicking here, or by calling us on 020-8743-7552

OCT stands for optical coherence tomography. It is a non-invasive type of retinal scan that allows us to see all the layers of the retina going beneath the surface. This allows us to more accurately assess the health of the retina and help diagnose eye conditions at an earlier stage. At specialeyes Eyecare we provide a free OCT scan included with every eye test.

Varifocal lenses (progressive lenses) are lenses where you have multiple points of focus. This means that the focus changes depending on where you look through the lens. You would normally need this type of lens when you lose your ability to see far and near with a single vision lenses. It is often used for people who are presbyopic.

Presbyopia is the inability for the lens in your eye to change focus when looking from far to near. This is associated with ageing and normally seen in those over 40. It is a natural process which cannot be prevented.

The number on your prescription indicates the power of the lens that you need in order to see to your optimum vision. The sphere number is a measure of how longsighted or shortsighted you are. The CYL number indicates how much astigmatism you have. The axis tells us which angle the astigmatism is in your eye. If you have an “add“ on your prescription, then this is the reading addition that you need in order to see near.

If you had your eye test done with us, we will let you know after that eye test is complete if we have your lens in stock. If you have done your eye test somewhere else, then you can call us on 0208-923-3148 and give us your prescription details and we would be able to check and let you know if we have them in stock.

If we do not have your lenses in our store, then depending on the lens that you order we will be able to advise you how long it would take to get the lenses ordered. Most lenses will take up to 1 week. If you are ordering a custom lens, then it can take up to 2 weeks.

Once you have selected the glasses that you would like to make, we place your glasses into a machine that traces the shape of the lens. We then pick out the lens from our stock according to the prescription of your glasses. We then position the centre off the lens in line with where your eye would sit when looking through the glasses. Once the lens is positioned it is then transferred to another machine where the excess parts of the lens is cut off. The lens is then carefully placed into your glasses and then verified.

Being shortsighted means that you find it hard to see things clearly when they are far away. This is because the light from what you are looking at is focused in front of the retina rather than on it. It often runs in families so if your mum or dad, brother or sister is shortsighted you might be too.

Being longsighted is when light entering your eye focuses behind your retina. This means that you are able to see things further away clearer than things closer to you.

Normally the front of you I should be round like a sphere. If you have astigmatism, this means that the surface of your eye is not the same curvature across all angles. It is normally compared to the shape of a rugby ball where one side is flatter and the other side is steeper. This causes lights that enters your eye to focus in two places, causing distorted vision. This may cause your eyes to feel tired or you might get headaches.

Optometrists are not legally required to notify the DVLA. It is the responsibility of the patient to notify the DVLA if they do not meet the standard. If a patient does not meet the DVLA standards for Driving, the optometrist will advise them not to drive.

If you are driving for personal use (Group 1), then it would be possible to drive subject to meeting the driving standards. If you want to drive for work purposes or for any purposes where you require a group 2 license, then you will not be allowed.

When applying for a driving license, you are required to state if you need glasses when driving. If you need glasses for driving your driving license would normally have a code 01 put on it.

If you already have a pair of designer glasses that you want lenses put in to, then it may be possible to glaze your prescription into your own frame. Please be advised that we take no responsibility and are not liable for any damage caused when glazing. You will be advised by the lab technician on the possibility of glazing at the time. Please be aware that if your frames are not in good condition, then it is possible that the frame may be damaged.

All our products are 100% authentic and are purchased directly from well-established optical suppliers. Most Frequently Asked Questiond FAQ

Yes, we sell children’s glasses as well as children’s sunglasses. Children’s glasses do not normally come as designer, but if there is one that you’re after then please let us know in store and we may be able to order it for you.

The simple answer is yes. With the latest advancements in contact lens manufacture, it is now possible to get contact lenses for people with astigmatism.
If you require rigid gas permeable lenses and you have a slight astigmatism then it may be possible not to get astigmatism lenses as the lens can correct it.
Contact lenses are also made in astigmatism form. These lenses are called ’Toric’ lenses (They are available in rigid gas permeable lenses and in soft lenses). These lenses are used to correct the astigmatism to give better vision.

No. It is impossible for contacting lens to get stuck behind the eye because there is a physical barrier that prevents anything from going to the back of the eye.
Contact lenses may get dislodged from its position within the eye and slide underneath the eyelid. If this happens then all you have to do is slide it back to its position. You would be shown this when you come in for your contact lens test.

It is very important that you do not take the lens out straight away because you may cause more damage to your eyes.
It is important that your eyes are hydrated before you attempt to remove the lens. Try to apply lens comfort eyedrops or lubricating eyedrops until your eye surface becomes moist. The lenses will then become more mobile easier to remove.
If you have any continuous problems, discomfort or redness you would need to see your optician as soon as possible.
If you require to wear lenses for extended hours, throughout the day, then please let optometrist know so that they can find you a lens that is suitable for your needs.