8 things you should expect at your eye test

1. The optometrist takes time to listen to and understand why you’ve come for an eye examination and what issues you are having with your vision in everyday life. This should include them getting a clear picture of the visual demands of your life at work, rest and play.

2. Before or during your appointment you should expect to have the pressure in your eyes measured, a visual field assessment, pictures and measurements of your existing prescriptions.

3. You should be guided through the findings of the health checks carried out. This should, at the least, include being shown pictures of the back of your eye (and ideally front too) with explanation of which bits are healthy, any areas of concern and advice about maintaining eye health.

4. The optometrist should check your vision with your existing specs (if worn) and then do tests to look at how the eyes work together at different distances and looking in different directions.

5. After the bit when the optometrist determines your optimal prescription (ideally with a modern automated device in front of your eyes – instead of the really dated, uncomfortable little frames) you should be told whether your prescription has changed and by how much.

6. You should understand what your glasses are correcting and whether you are myopic (short-sighted), hyperopic (long-sighted), astigmatic and/or presbyopic – and the implications of each of these conditions.

7. You should have all the visual correction options explained to you (specs and/or contact lenses), so you can make an informed decision with the optometrist about which ones suit the different visual requirements of your life.

8. You should be handed on to the optometrist’s colleague with a brief summary of your requirements and a choice of whether you want to look at specs or not. You should definitely be supplied with a copy of your prescription – it is the law.

And 2 things you should not expect

1. Being in and out of the room in 15-20 minutes. you can’t do the above properly in that amount of time.

2. The optometrist up-selling of lens coatings, more expensive varifocals and hearing tests.

We are pleased to be able to part of the Festival of Debate for a second year. Last year we looked at NHS privatisation and the lessons we can learn form 30 years of teeth and eye care out of the NHS.

This year following on from that we are looking at whether being ethical and profitable are mutually exclusive. We say we are ethical and significant number of our customers come to us for that reason. It may be they wanted recycled frames, a longer eye test or up-front/transparent pricing.

We have been linking up with other local businesses who put ethics at the centre of what they do and talking to them suggests that the values of the business owners are key – they talk about feeling comfortable about how they do business – what we talk about is good value and good values. They also talk about transparency and consistency.

If this sounds interesting to you then come and join the debate on 23/5/19 – Grab a drink form neighbours Brewdog and have your say.

Tickets are free and available here https://events.ticketsforgood.co.uk/events/1156-festival-of-debate-can-ethical-be-profitable

We are an opticians who love helping people enjoy their sporting activities outdoors around Sheffield. This includes triathletes.

People who need specs to see face additional challenges when they compete in the sport of triathlon. We love helping people get the best visual solution so people who love to swim, then ride and then run can enjoy their sport as much as possible.

Recently we’ve supplied prescription swimming goggles (only £20) that have made the swim safer and quicker. We’ve also done numerous pairs of prescription cycling/running specs/shades too, that have helped people feel more relaxed and comfortable on the saddle or the road (from £90 – final price depends on strength needed, as all are bespoke orders).

While contact lenses (£35 for 30 pairs) are great for cycling and running, they should not be worn for swimming in. Why? Well, unfortunately wearing lenses in water puts you at increased risk of a nasty (difficult to diagnose and treat) infection called acanthamoeba. That means contact lenses can be worn for cycling and running training, but not racing. We understand this is obviously very frustrating!

What does this mean in practical terms? It means wearing prescription goggles for the swim and the run to your bike. Getting changed and then slipping your cycle/run specs on after helmet has gone on (style dictates specs sides worn outside helmet straps please).

All, the above is focused (no pun intended) on the vision in the distance, but triathletes over 40 will know that close work is an issue too. Seeing your Garmin/phone is important when you are up against the clock/trying to hit certain numbers, as is seeing the menu in the café too. This is an issue we are used to helping with too and specialist specs are available in varifocal format and we can even tweak swimming goggles too.

Pop in and have a chat about how we might help you.