Visual Assessment - The next stage of the examination is to determine what you can see, both with and without any current glasses. This initial visual assessment will be used to see if we can improve your vision any further.

Objective Measurement - There are several measurements we take early on in the examination which require little or no response by the person being examined. These include checking the balancing and movement of the ocular muscles and testing for correct pupil reactions to different stimuli. To assess the approximate magnitude of a prescription we always use a retinoscope (a torch like instrument) and sometimes an autorefractor. These tests all help in determining the overall performance of the eyes.

Subjective Refinement - Once we have obtained an approximate value of the prescription needed using the retinoscope we then set about refining this. To do this we present the person being examined with different lenses and ask them to decide which they feel is better. This then produces the final prescription needed.

Ocular Examination - One of the most important aspects of the eye examination is when we assess the health of your eyes. This involves looking at the outside as well as the inside of your eyes. This investigation can often show why the vision/prescription may have changed and whether it can be improved with glasses or if further action needs to be taken.

Supplementary Tests - In addition to all the routine parts of the eye examination we may carry out some further tests to assess other functions of the eye.

Further Investigations - When indicated there are additional procedures that we may wish to carry out. As part of our screening program for glaucoma, we routinely check the intra ocular pressures on everyone over 40. In addition we may wish to check your visual fields. This may again be part of our routine screening for glaucoma or because during the examination you showed signs of a particular problem which we feel requires further investigation.