We recommend that adults with no complications have an eye test at least every two years, unless your optometrists advises otherwise. There are some exceptions to this below: Under 15s should be coming every year. Aged 70 and over? Then annually is best advised. Diabetic and glaucoma patients should be seen every year. Over 40 with a relative with glaucoma? Then we would advise we see you annually too. But if you're concerned at any point, just book in and we can take a look.

Our standard eye tests are 40mins. This is slightly longer than other practices to ensure a thorough examination and customer experience. Our advanced eye tests (including OCT scanning) are 1 hour.

Our optometrists will sit you down and discuss your family medical history or any sight concerns. They will use various techniques to look in and around your eyes for signs of disease and test how well you can see near, far and how you focus. We may use a bright light to look into the eye and get you to focus on a certain object whilst we do this. The vision test itself will see you pop on a frame where we test your ability to see near and far, and how well you can focus and coordinate your eyes. This may include using a letter chart with different lenses in front of your eye. We can test your eye pressure to assess the fluid in your eye, which can be a sign of glaucoma. We have puff or non-puff methods (getting you to focus whilst we puff some air on the eye, quickly and painlessly) or using other equipment so you can discuss this on the day with your optometrist. If needed, your optometrist will provide a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. You can then enjoy frame shopping with our expert Optical Assistants who can advise on the best frame for you.

We advise children to get their eyes tested annually from around the age of 4, but sooner if you think they need. At this age, we know not everyone will be able to use the traditional leter chart, so we use lots of different ways to make the eye test fun and accessible to all ages! We use 3D perception books with funny glasses to wear, easily recognisable pictures, shapes and animals so we can determine a prescription if needed. Some children require eye drops to help our optometrists see into their eye better but this will be discussed on the day and they do dilate the pupils making kids a bit more sensitive to light afterwards. We have a fantastic range of kids frames that are robust, fun and fashionable so there will be something for everyone. Kids eye tests are also FREE on the NHS and you can also get a voucher to help with frames. Check out this post for more info on what to expect:

Your first step is to book an appointment with an optometrist for an eye exam. Let them know when booking that you're interested in trying contact lenses. In addition to a regular eye exam, they'll perform a contact lens fitting and take you through everything you need to know about putting them in, out and aftercare.

Our team of Optical Assistants are here to help you. They are experts in fitting frames and will go over everything with you in store. Some things to think about are practicality with work, face shape, nose shape, hair colour. But our team will keep you right! It can be good to bring someone else with you to help or we can take pictures of you trying frames on to show you side by side when you get your old glasses back on to see properly!