We understand that with the busy lives we all lead now in between social and work responsibilities, getting an eye test might not be at the top of your priority list. However, getting regular eye tests can be crucial for more than just your eye health.

When should you get an eye test?

Here at Reynold and Slaters Opticians, we know first hand that our eyes are always on the go, whether it’s tucking into a good book, enjoying a new film in the cinema or sitting at your computer all day at work – there’s no doubt about it, modern day life can cause a lot of strain on your eyes. Therefore it is important to get your eyesight checked regularly to keep them as healthy as possible.

There are many variables that can affect how often you should get an eye test, with age and underlying health conditions being two of the most important. However as general guidance the NHS recommend you should leave no more than two years in between appointments.

This however is only a general rule of thumb, and we cannot stress the importance of visiting the options as soon as you can if you discover any changes in your eye site. This is to check for any serious illnesses that could be affecting your vision.

Why should I have regular eye tests?

You may be under the impression that getting regular eye tests will inform you if you may need glasses to help your vision, and whilst you are correct, there are many other more pressing reasons why regular eye tests shouldn’t be missed.

That may have been a bit of an eye opener for some of you, but that’s the reason it’s so important for you to attend your eye tests every two years, unless your optician tells you otherwise. It’s really important to listen to any advice your health professional gives you, they are trained professionals, and they know what they’re talking about.

What could regular eye tests show?

With the advancement of technology nowadays, eye testing machines can pick up a number of serious problems in your eye examinations including dementia, diabetes, high blood pressure, and tumours, just to name a few.

Some patients may put off going in for an eye test due to the fear of bad news, but there’s often nothing to worry about. However on the rare occasion that your optician does pick something up, it’s really important to get it checked straight away to minimise any longer lasting effects.

Regular eye examinations are also a great way to track any changes happening to your eye health over a longer period of time. By having regular tests, your opticians are able to build a report on your optical health, which over a few years could expose any deteriorations in your eyesight or overall health.

Want to know more?

We hope you can now see why regular eye tests are so important to your overall optical health, but if you’d like to know more, please do get in touch.

If you think you may need to book an appointment for an eye examination then our lovely team will be more than happy to help. Or, if you’ve just received a prescription, check out our range of eyewear available on our online store.