Many people view eye exams as just a quick step to obtaining glasses, but at our practice, we believe that exceptional eye care involves much more than simply writing a prescription.
Comprehensive eye examinations prioritise early detection and maintain the best overall eye health. Together with timely treatment, eye examinations have been shown to prevent 50% of all cases of sight loss.
EYE EXAMINATIONS
The importance of regular eye examinations
As independent optometrists we are able to offer eye examinations that are tailored to our patients individual requirements.
In addition to checking your vision and if necessary, correcting it with spectacles, contact lenses or surgery, a comprehensive eye examination evaluates many other aspects of eye health and function. These include:-
How your eyes work together – eye muscle coordination, binocular focusing ability, eye movements, and peripheral vision.
Eye health checks – screening for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal disease, and other conditions.
General health indicators – signs of systemic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Inherited and future risks – screening for potentially inherited eye conditions and assessing if you may be at risk of developing one.
Regular eye examinations are vital. They allow for early detection of problems, ensuring that prompt treatment can be given to protect your sight.
It's important to point out that because we are a private Practice we are able to offer a variety of different eye examinations ranging from routine eye examinations & Advanced Eye Investigations (AEI) to optometric eye problem checks with costs starting at just £65.00.
Why not make your eye care more affordable by choosing one of our Eye Care Plans? These plans let you spread the cost with convenient monthly payments by Direct Debit.
What type of eye examination do you need?
Our range of eye examinations
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Adult eye examination
An adult eye examination is the default exam choice for the majority of our patients. It involves us measuring all the key elements for your eyes including vision, refraction, oculomotor balance & most importantly, checking your eyes are healthy. We routinely include a Heidelberg Spectralis 4D OCT eye scan and visual field assessment using the ZEISS FDT screener. If we detect any problems with your eyes we will explain and offer appropriate monitoring or treatment.
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Children & U19s eye examination
It’s never too early to have your child’s eyes examined. Its well recognised that poor vision in 1 or both eyes can seriously affect their educational development. Our children and under 19 yrs exam will look at all aspects of eye function and health. It will also include OPTOS Ultrawide retinal imaging.
For young patients, where applicable, myopia management will be considered and explained.
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Contact lens tolerance trial examination
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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Under 25's eye examination
Our eye examination for under 25’s have many of the elements of an adult examination but centres around the digital working environment concentrating on vision with computers, mobile phones, excluding an IOP check & OCT.
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Advanced eye investigation (AEI)
At Paul Whiteman Optometrists, we combine cutting-edge technology with expert knowledge to detect sight-threatening eye diseases up to four years before symptoms appear. Our Advanced Eye Investigations (AEIs) are tailored for individuals either suffering with, or at risk of developing, eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma or macular degeneration, including those with diabetes.
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Minor eye problem assessment (MEP)
Simply designed to identify any urgent problem to do with with the health of your eyes, ranging from dry or red eyes to flashes and floaters and painful eyes. Any diagnostic tests, scans or ongoing treatments may involve additional charges.
If necessary we can arrange referral to an appropriate eye care practitioner such as a hospital or private ophthalmologist or eye surgeon.
“Neglecting your eye health, even if your vision seems perfect, can mean sight-threatening conditions go unnoticed until it’s too late.”
How often should you have your eyes examined?
The College of Optometrists advises that ‘Patients should be examined at the most appropriate interval depending on their clinical needs whether an NHS or private patient’.
To be more specific we would advise the following intervals providing you are not having problems with your vision.
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Infants should be checked at the earliest age possible for long-sight, short-sight, astigmatism, congenital cataracts, squint (turning eye, strabismus). This can be checked by an optometrist using a retinoscope and ophthalmoscope.
Your child will have had an eye examination from the moment they were born as part of a newborn physical examination.
Then afterwards your child’s eyes should be checked:-
Between the ages of 2-3 years old if you think there is a problem.
Between 4-5 years old (before they start school).
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A child who has no binocular vision anomaly or refractive error should have an eye examination every year.
If he/she wears has rapidly progressing myopia or a binocular vision anomaly then every 6 months.
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If you have no existing problems with vision or eye health we recommend having your eyes examined every 2 years otherwise annually (unless advised differently by your optometrist).
Diabetics, glaucoma and age related degeneration (AMD) sufferers who are not attending NHS monitoring schemes should be examined annually.
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Whether or not you have existing problems with vision or eye health we recommend eye examinations annually.
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If you wear contact lenses, we recommend having an eye examination annually. Legally a contact lens checkup is required every 12 months to keep your lens prescription up-to-date.
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Exceptions to the recommended intervals for eye examinations
You should also have an immediate eye examination and seek advice if:-
– You experience sudden changes in your vision.
– Your eyes are red and painful.
– You have a black spot in your field of vision that was not there previously.
– You’re experiencing long periods of eye strain despite taking regular screen breaks.
FAQs - Eye examinations
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Our normal adult eye examination includes a full & comprehensive assessment of your vision, oculomotor balance & eye health. It includes visual field screening, intraocular pressure (IOP) check & optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Our normal eye examination for under 16yrs & under 29yrs are the same as our adult examination excluding an IOP check & OCT.
Adult eye examination from £95.00
Under 16yrs eye examination £65.00
Under 29yrs eye examination £95.00
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An eye examination at Paul Whiteman optometrists involves us measuring a number of key elements allowing us to generate an in-depth profile of your sight which we call your individual 'eye map'.
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Professional Integrity
With professional integrity at the heart of our care, we’ll always be open and honest – letting you know if your prescription hasn’t changed or if glasses aren’t needed. -
Yes. As part of your eye examination, we’ll check whether your vision meets the legal standards for driving. If your eyesight is fine, we’ll confirm that for you. If we find that glasses or contact lenses would improve your vision for driving, we’ll explain your options clearly. Our priority is to make sure you’re safe and confident behind the wheel.
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Cataracts usually develop slowly and can cause symptoms such as blurred or cloudy vision, difficulty with glare from lights, or noticing that colours seem faded. The only way to know for sure is through a full eye examination, where we can check for early signs and monitor any changes. If cataracts are present, we’ll explain your options and when treatment might be needed.
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In their early stages, cataracts may not need treatment and your vision can often be managed with updated glasses, brighter lighting, or anti-glare lenses. When cataracts start to interfere with your daily activities, the most effective treatment is a straightforward surgical procedure to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial one called an implant. It’s one of the most common and successful operations performed today, with excellent results for improving vision.
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Glaucoma often develops very slowly and usually doesn’t cause obvious symptoms in the early stages, which is why many people don’t realise they have it. Over time, it can affect your side (peripheral) vision without you noticing. The only reliable way to detect glaucoma is through regular eye examinations, where we check the pressure inside your eyes, examine the optic nerve normall using the Spectralis 4D OCT eye scanner and assess your visual field using the ZEISS Humphrey visual field analyser. Early detection is vital, as prompt treatment can protect your sight and prevent further damage.
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Glaucoma is usually treated with daily eye drops that help lower the pressure inside your eyes and protect the optic nerve from further damage. In some cases SLT laser treatment or surgery may be recommended if drops aren’t enough. While treatment can’t reverse vision already lost, it is very effective at slowing or stopping the progression of glaucoma, helping to protect your sight for the future. Regular check-ups, preferably an Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) by an optometrist are essential to make sure the treatment is working as it should.
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Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Cataract. £200.00
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Glaucoma. £250.00
Specific glaucoma investigation including: Goldmann tonometry, pachymetry, OCT (advanced glaucoma module), Humphrey visual fields (HVF)
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Macular degeneration. £200.00
Specific assessment of macular degeneration including: OCT, Amsler chart, pupil dilation etc.
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Diabetic retinopathy. £250.00
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Flashes & floaters. £150.00
Assessment of flashes & floaters including: OCT, OPTOS retinal evaluation
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Keratoconus. 250.00
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Dry eyes. £250.00
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Refractive & laser eye surgery. from £200.00
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI) - Dyslexia & visual stress. £250.00
Specific review & assessment of the visual aspects of dyslexia including: Refraction, binocularity & oculomotor balance assessment. Thompson ReadEz visual stress exam, coloured overlay, report writing and second follow-up consultation where necessary.
Optometric problem eye assessment. from £65.00
Any problem to do with with the health of your eyes, from red eye to painful eye. Any diagnostic tests, scans or ongoing treatments are not included.
We offer a number of different appointment types.
If you know what type of appointment you require please press BOOK opposite to use our appointment booking service.
If you are unsure what type of consultation you need, or if you don’t like filling in forms, please telephone our reception staff on 01737 223202 who will help you to book the correct appointment.
APPOINTMENT TYPES AVAILABLE
Eye Examination
Advanced Eye Investigation (AEI)
Minor Eye Problem (MEP)
Contact Lens Aftercare Check-up
Contact Lens Tolerance Trial/ Lens RefItting
Bespoke Spectacle Styling Service
Spectacle Frame Adjustment or Repair
(Click above to book an appointment)