Eye health centre

Eye health: Visiting the optometrist

Because of the value of sight, it is vital to be proactive about your eye health. Taking a role in maintaining your sight and preventing its loss includes choosing healthcare providers best suited to your needs -- they should have the right training and experience, be able to provide the proper treatment and information, and be able to promote the best possible outcome.

It is important for adults to have eye examinations on a regular basis to check for problems. Regular eye examinations are critical for detecting conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which require specialist care. The NHS recommends that everyone visit an optometrist once every two years, or more frequently if advised.

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Getting started: How to choose an optometrist

Optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, test sight and prescribe and dispense glasses and contact lenses. Optometrists can be found on most high streets in the UK, usually either within chemists or in places specialising in glasses and contact lenses.

Qualifications. It is vital to ensure that all your eye health professionals have the proper and adequate training to examine your eyes for vision problems and the signs of eye disease. In the UK, all optometrists must be registered with the General Optical Council and listed in the Opticians Register.

Experience. Having experience is also a quality indicator of a healthcare provider. An optometrist who has more experience may be more able to detect eye disease and give good advice simply because they have examined more people.

Services offered. Choosing an eye health professional who is able to provide a wide range of services can be beneficial, but you should also select your provider according to your specific needs. One who provides fewer services may sometimes be able to provide more specialisation with a particular service or certain diseases, such as glaucoma or cataracts. Make sure that the optometrist you select has the necessary qualifications and equipment to perform a thorough eye test, and be able to advise you on your vision correction needs.

Client satisfaction. Making customers happy is very important. There is a cliché about word of mouth being faster and far more effective than any form of advertising. Knowing that people have loyalty to their healthcare provider, and that they recommend them to others, is usually a very good indicator of quality.

Once you have seen your optometrist, determine if you are satisfied and comfortable with the outcome of your visit. You should be able to answer "yes" to such questions as:

Were you seen in a timely manner?
Was the examiner thorough?
Did he/she address all of your concerns and follow up with any possible complications or questions you had?
Will you return?
Would you recommend him/her to others?