Why regular eye tests are important for your eye health

Regular eye tests are an important part of looking after your eye health, even if you haven’t noticed any changes to your vision.

For National Eye Health Week, Galloways has teamed up with Peter Booth Opticians to answer some important questions about eye health, sight and recognising changes in your vision.

In the first video of our series, Nadia, a dispensing optician at Peter Booth Opticians, explains the importance of regular eye tests and why you shouldn’t necessarily wait until you notice a problem with your sight.

Why are regular eye tests important?

Many people associate an eye test with finding out whether they need glasses or whether their prescription has changed.

However, a routine sight test can tell you much more about your eyes.

Nadia explains that during a sight test, your optician can check both the external and internal health of your eyes. They can also check your vision and identify whether you need a prescription to help you see more clearly.

Importantly, an eye test may also identify changes within the eye that you haven’t noticed yourself.

Eye tests can help identify signs of health conditions

Your eyes can provide useful information about both your eye health and your wider health.

As part of its National Eye Health Week campaign, Peter Booth Opticians highlights that eye tests can help spot signs associated with conditions including glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure and macular degeneration, as well as indicators associated with cardiovascular health.

This is one of the reasons why regular eye tests remain important even when you feel that your vision hasn’t changed.

Why early identification matters

Some changes to your eye health may develop without immediately causing noticeable changes to your day-to-day vision.

During our video, Nadia explains that if an optician identifies something that requires further investigation, they may recommend a referral to hospital eye services.

The sooner a potential problem is identified, the sooner the appropriate advice, assessment or treatment can be considered.

Regular sight tests therefore provide an opportunity to monitor your eye health over time rather than waiting until you notice something is wrong.

When was your last eye test?

Peter Booth Opticians is encouraging people whose last sight test was more than two years ago to consider booking an eye test.

How often you need an eye test can vary depending on your individual circumstances, so follow the interval recommended by your optometrist or other eye care professional.

If you experience a sudden or significant change in your vision, don’t wait until your next routine appointment. Seek appropriate professional advice.

Looking after your eyes during National Eye Health Week

National Eye Health Week is an opportunity to think about how we look after our eyes and to encourage conversations about the importance of eye health.

Throughout our series with Peter Booth Opticians, we’ll be asking more questions about looking after your eyes, recognising changes in your vision and understanding when to seek advice.

About Peter Booth Opticians

Peter Booth Opticians is an independent opticians providing professional eye care and sight tests, helping people look after their vision and wider eye health.

As part of our National Eye Health Week collaboration, Peter Booth Opticians is sharing expert advice to help people better understand the importance of regular eye tests, recognise changes in their vision and know when to seek professional support.

If it has been a while since your last sight test, or you would like to find out more about looking after your eye health, you can visit Peter Booth Opticians to learn more and book an appointment.

Find out more or book a sight test:
https://peterboothopticians.co.uk/

Galloways: support through sight loss

At Galloways, we know that changes to your sight can have an impact on many areas of everyday life.

We support blind and partially sighted people across Lancashire and Sefton with information, practical advice, assistive technology, activities and services designed to help people live as independently and confidently as possible.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sight loss, get in touch with Galloways to find out how we can support you.

Galloways – Support through sight loss.