What Can an Eye Test Detect Besides Needing Glasses?
Many people book an eye test because their vision has changed or they think they may need new glasses.
But what can an eye test detect besides a change in your prescription?
Quite a lot.
A comprehensive eye examination isn't simply about whether you can read the letters on the chart. Your optometrist also examines the health of your eyes, looking for signs of eye disease and changes that may require monitoring, further investigation or referral.
In fact, some eye conditions can develop without causing obvious symptoms, which is one reason regular eye examinations remain important even if you feel your vision is perfectly fine
What Can an Eye Test Detect?
During an eye examination, your optometrist uses a combination of tests and clinical examination to assess your vision and eye health.
Depending on your age, symptoms, medical history and individual risk factors, we may examine your:
• Vision and prescription
• Eye movements and coordination
• Pupils
• Front of the eye
• Eye pressure where appropriate
• Optic nerves
• Retina and macula
• Peripheral vision where indicated
Additional technology such as retinal photography and an OCT eye scan can provide even more information about the structures inside your eyes.
So, what are we actually looking for?
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve.
One of the difficulties with some forms of glaucoma is that significant changes can occur before you become aware of a problem with your vision.
Assessing the appearance of the optic nerve, eye pressure and, when appropriate, your visual fields can help identify people who may require further investigation.
An OCT eye scan can also provide detailed measurements of structures around the optic nerve, which can be useful when assessing and monitoring glaucoma risk.
Cataracts
A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside the eye becomes increasingly cloudy.
You may notice:
• Blurred or hazy vision
• Increased glare
• Difficulty driving at night
• Colours appearing less vivid
• More frequent changes to your spectacle prescription
However, cataracts can also be identified during an eye examination before they significantly interfere with everyday life.
Not everyone with a cataract needs surgery immediately. We can monitor its development and advise when further assessment may be appropriate.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula — the central area of the retina responsible for detailed vision.
Changes to the macula may sometimes be detected during an eye examination before they cause significant symptoms.
Retinal imaging and OCT eye scans can provide particularly detailed information about the macula and help identify changes that may require monitoring or referral.
If you ever experience a sudden change or distortion in your central vision, however, don't wait for your routine eye examination — seek professional advice promptly.
Diabetic Eye Changes
Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels within the retina.
People with diabetes in the UK are offered dedicated diabetic eye screening, and this is separate from your routine sight test.
However, your optometrist also examines the retina during an eye examination and may identify changes that require further investigation.
Having diabetes therefore makes regular professional eye care particularly important, alongside attending your diabetic eye screening appointments when invited.
Retinal Problems
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of your eye.
During an examination we may identify signs of conditions affecting the retina, including:
• Retinal tears or holes
• Retinal detachment
• Macular holes
• Epiretinal membranes
• Areas of retinal degeneration
• Swelling or fluid within the retina
Some retinal conditions require urgent assessment, particularly when associated with symptoms such as a sudden increase in floaters, flashing lights or a shadow or curtain appearing across your vision.
Changes to the Optic Nerve
Your optic nerve carries visual information from your eye to your brain.
Examining its appearance is therefore an important part of assessing eye health.
Changes to the optic nerve can occur for a variety of reasons. If something looks unusual, your optometrist may recommend additional tests, monitoring or referral for a specialist opinion.
Can an Eye Test Detect General Health Problems?
This is an area where it's important not to overstate what an eye examination can do.
The eyes can sometimes show signs associated with conditions elsewhere in the body, and an optometrist may occasionally identify something that warrants further medical investigation.
However, an eye examination isn't a substitute for seeing your GP, attending NHS screening programmes or having appropriate medical tests.
If we see something unexpected, we can explain our findings and, where appropriate, recommend that you seek further medical assessment.
How Does OCT Help?
Modern eye care technology allows us to see structures within the eye in far greater detail than was once possible.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)Â produces highly detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve.
This can help us identify and monitor subtle structural changes associated with conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and other retinal problems.
We've written a separate guide explaining What Is OCT and Why Is It So Important?, which you can link to here.
For a limited time, we're also including a complimentary OCT eye scan with our eye examinations at Parkhurst and Co.
Ask our team for details when booking.
What If My Eyesight Seems Fine?
This is perhaps the most important message.
Good eyesight doesn't necessarily mean there is nothing to check.
Some eye conditions can develop gradually, and you may not notice changes yourself in their early stages.
Regular eye examinations allow us to compare findings over time and identify changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.
How frequently you should have your eyes examined depends on factors such as your age, eye health, family history, medical history and previous findings. Your optometrist will advise you when your next examination is recommended.
Eye Care Is About More Than Glasses
So, what can an eye test detect?
An eye examination can identify much more than whether your spectacle prescription has changed. It provides an opportunity to assess your eye health, look for signs of eye disease and decide whether anything needs monitoring or further investigation
.
At Parkhurst and Co Styling Opticians, we combine professional eye care with modern eye care technology, including OCT imaging, to build a detailed picture of your vision and eye health.
Because an eye examination isn't simply about helping you see clearly today.
It's also about looking after your eyes for the future.
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• Eye Health & Eye Examinations
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