Your Eye Examination at Gardiner Opticians

What kind of eye examination can I have?

We offer three types of eye examination:

  • NHS eye examination– this includes free retinal photography, which lets us track the health of your eyes over time. Free if you qualify for an NHS eye examination.
  • Enhanced eye examination– this includes Optomap Ultra-widefield retinal imaging, allowing us to examine 80% more of your retina, five times more than standard retinal photography – it costs just £69 ( or £29 if you qualify for an NHS eye test).
    Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging is also available for under 19s at a reduced price of £10.
  • Gold eye examination – this includes Optomap Ultra-widefield retinal imaging as well as a specialist OCT 3D scan which can detect eye conditions up to five years earlier than a normal test – it costs just £89 (or £49 if you qualify for an NHS eye test).
Your Eye Examination at Gardiner Opticians
What will my optometrist check?

Your optometrist will check the health of your eyes. That includes:

    • Your vision – they’ll decide if any correction is needed.
    • Any signs of cataracts, glaucoma and other eye conditions – thanks to our advanced screening tests, OCT and Optomap, which you can add for extra peace of mind.
    • Other health issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure and vascular disease – your eyes can be the window to your body’s health.
How often should I have my eyes examined?

It is important that everyone should have an eye examination every 2 years but if you have diabetes or you are over 40 and have a history of glaucoma in your family we recommend more regular check-ups. We recommend that children have their eyes tested every year.

NHS sight tests at Gardiner Opticians

Some people are entitled to a sight test for free through the NHS. We offer free NHS sight tests to:

      • Children under 16
      • Teenagers under 19, in full-time education
      • Anyone over 60
      • Anyone with a history of certain health conditions

Please see the NHS website for the full list of everyone who may qualify for an NHS sight test.

The Best Possible Care for Your Eyes

When you book a Gardiner Opticians eye examination, you’ll receive the highest standard of clinical care. No matter how complex your needs, our optometrists and qualified clinical staff have the skills to tailor your eye care using the latest imaging technology, whilst providing a personal and individual service.

OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography

Our optometrists can create detailed 3D scans, to examine your eye with pinpoint accuracy helping to spot abnormalities up to five years before a traditional test.
Find out more here.

See the Wider Picture

Optomap Ultra-widefield retinal imaging allows us to examine five times more of your retina than standard digital retinal photography. Suitable for all ages, this latest technology can detect eye problems that may go undetected with traditional methods.

Corneal Topography

This imaging technique allows us to accurately map the contours of the surface of your eye. This can be used for fitting contact lenses or detect certain corneal conditions such as keratoconus. Find out more here.

Children’s / Kid’s Eyecare

Good vision is very important to children because so much of what they learn is taken in through their eyes, so it’s never too soon to start your child’s eye care.

Contact Lenses

Our optometrists and specialist contact lens practitioners can fit a huge range of contact lenses, providing more and more people with an alternative to glasses. Find out more here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being able to see properly is vital. Good vision leads to a better quality of life, helps children do well at school and is a legal requirement for driving and certain jobs. Eye tests help to ensure your vision is as good as it can be.

They also help make sure you’re healthy. An eye test can pick up early signs of eye diseases and underlying health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure. We also advise retinal imaging of all adults to detect signs of glaucoma and macular degeneration and many other eye conditions.

The frequency of your eye test will depend on your age and any medical conditions you may have – your optometrist will be able to advise you on this. For most people, if you’re not experiencing any pain or symptoms you should have your eyes tested every two years. As a regular health check, it helps keep on top of any changes in your vision and other eye conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed.

More than 30 million people in the UK are entitled to a free eye examination paid for by the NHS. The list below details who is automatically entitled to regular NHS sight tests.

      • Aged 60 or over
      • Under 16 or under 19 still in full time education
      • Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
      • 40 years of age or over with a close relative with glaucoma
      • Registered blind or partially sighted
      • In need of complex lenses (you may also get an optical voucher)

You are also entitled to a free NHS sight test if you (or your partner) are receiving the following benefits or credits:

      • Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
      • Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit (and are named on a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)
      • You are named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate

Help with your glasses

As well as a free eye examination, you may also be entitled to some help with the purchase of glasses or contact lenses, if you are:

      • Under 16 or under 19 and still in full time education
      • Named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate
      • In need of complex lenses
      • You or your partner claim Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Working Family’s Tax Credit/Disabled Person’s Tax Credit(and are named on a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)

Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy – damage to the retina – that can eventually lead to blindness. Regular eye tests are recommended for diabetics because the earlier any changes in the eye are detected, the more likely it is they can be monitored and treated.