How long for an eye test?

[WestieFan]

Does anybody know how long an eye test should take?

My last two opticians took nearly 3/4 hour, using about 4 or 5 of those funny machines before even getting to the 'read the line' stage. (I hate the one that blows a puff of something or other in your eye!).

Anyways, I went for my 2 yearly check the other day, decided to go to a different place which advertises cheap designer frames.

Test took around 15 minutes. Only one machine used (the above mentioned 'puff of air or whatever'), although 3 others were sitting there.

I was handed my prescription and left to choose frames. No mention made of a tint etc (always was recommended before due to amount of time sitting in front of a computer screen).

I have ordered a pair, but on reflection, wonder if I was a bit hasty as I now feel that corners were cut here. I am long sighted and was surprised to be told that I should get two pairs, one for reading, one for distance. I have no problem reading things far away. I only ordered one pair, for reading.

Am I being conned do you think? And is there any way I can check?

[Savvy_Sue]

I'm sure (because I went with my son!) that my optician allows about 20 minutes for an eye test. I have usually only had the puff of air, although a few years back I did have to stick my head inside a box and press a button when I saw a light. The optician did that again this year, saying it was to check my optic nerve was connected to my brain. :confused: I'd have thought it would have been obvious if it wasn't!

[15lsp]

i go to the same opticians year after year so my test takes 10 minutes at the most, they have my details so they dont have to start from scratch. I have the glaucoma test everytime (puff of air), reading letters of the wall and having a light shone in my eyes but thats it. About 6 years ago i changed opticians and was told i have astigmatism (born with) which had never come up at my old opticians. Hmmm!

D & A are doing free eye tests at the moment, you could get another test done if your not happy?

[Dora the Explorer]

I've been getting tests done and my specs from specsavers for about the last 15 years. The test usually took 20 minutes or so. Last year I had my eyes tested by the opticians in my local Boots as they had frames I'd been looking for. The test took 60 minutes and felt far more thorough. I'm due another test soon as I have glaucoma, and will be going back to Boots although a poor pair of specs doesn't damage vision apparently.
The puff of air is to test for glaucoma and the light test is to test field of vision - diagnoses tunnel vision and retinopathy. I would have thought the presence of a white stick and/or guide dog would have told the optician the optic nerve had become disconnected. :D

[WestieFan]

:rotfl: :rotfl: Those comments really cheered me up Dora!

Glad you mentioned Boots. I had been going there for years and this is why I thought 3/4 - 1 hour for a test is the norm. Boots' thoroughness has spoiled me and I was expecting too much!

None of the staff were very interested in helping me to choose frames either, which I can't fault Boots on.

I think I may go back to them, although I am on WFTC and get free eye test so I don't know how that would work if I wanted another test. Probably have to pay for another one, which I don't mind. Think I will see how I get on with my new specs and then decide. Hmmmm :cool:

Thanks for advice everybody.

[Dora the Explorer]

The only thing I can suggest is that you take your new prescription into Boots and ask them if it looks correct, compared with your last one from them. Hope this helps.

[Savvy_Sue]

... the light test is to test field of vision - diagnoses tunnel vision and retinopathy.Yes, that's what I was told the first time I had it, also that I'd started to reach the age at which peripheral vision can start to deteriorate (as well as your arms shrinking!) so I was then surprised not to be offered another one of those for at least 6 years - but I wondered if that was just because there weren't any indications in the other tests that my peripheral vision was on its way out ...

I would have thought the presence of a white stick and/or guide dog would have told the optician the optic nerve had become disconnected. :DMy sentiments exactly! but I swear that's what he said he was testing for ... :rotfl:

[niadoz]

A test should last about 20 mins. They should ask Q's regarding general and ocular health as well as your family's ocular health.
The back of your eyes must be checked, normally by using an ophthalmascope (bright light and does a clicking noise). Pressures must be taken from the age of 40yrs (puff of air). Few other tests are normally done inbetween to check the muscle balance.
Opticians have to do a pre-registration year and during this year tests normally take them between an hour and 45 mins. (They are still very thorough even though they are training). Some opticians employ ophthalmologists which are doctors who specialise in eyes. They often take much less time (approx 15 mins).

[magentadreamer]

Westie, even though the test only took about 15 minutes that would be about the norm for a refraction - the part of the test that measures your eyes for the glasses. The puff of air test measures the IOP - intra occular pressure - if this is raised it can be an indication of glaucoma but sometimes it can be raised due to other things. The optician should examine the back of the eyes - the optic disc to see if there are signs of glaucoma, diabetic changes, freckles etc etc this is done with an ophthalmoscope -the insturment that shines the bright light in your eyes as they come very close. This can also be done by photos or an examination on a slit lamp. They should also check your eyes for corneal problems and cataracts.The field test is where you get to play space invaders and click when you see flashing lights this can indicate glaucoma, field lose due to strokes etc etc. If you're in doubt about the reliabilty of the tests you had I'd suggest you went to one of the smaller opticians -the one man bands tend to give a much better service. I've found their referals to be much more reliable then a referral from one of the bigger fast track optician chains.

[pavlovs_dog]

i recently switched to boots because of a promotion they were running at the time, and it is undoubtedly the best and most thorough check up i have ever had.

not the cheapest perhaps, but far and away the best service i have experienced

[BungleGirl]

I went for my first eye test since I was a child today. I went to small local opticians. The test lasted over an hour - I think that he was concerned that I had terrible vision in one eye and I only realised on Saturday! I was very worried about it, and the fact that he was so thorough has put my mind at rest. My partner was outside waiting and the lady there told him they usually take about 25 minutes but sometimes more.

Shall be wearing my first pair of glasses as of next week - I am quite excited actually!

[WestieFan]

Thanks to everybody for all the useful information. From what you are all saying the test was okay, just not as thorough as some I have had.

As I said, my previous tests at Boots seemed to be the most thorough, and I got the same tests every time I went there. I then changed to Asda's opticians, and although smaller, they were just as thorough as Boots and the girls were happy to help me choose frames. They were also very good value for money. I just didn't like where it was situated in the store (I like my privacy!) so decided to try Costco. It looks like I will be returning to either Boots or Asda in the future, as I just feel I got better service at both of those places.

We live and learn! :cool2: