Eyecare

Getting your eyes tested can seem like a daunting experience, especially if you’ve never worn glasses or contact lenses before. However, once you understand what’s involved, you’ll realise that an eye test is just a routine procedure that ultimately helps monitor your eye health and maintain your vision.

The M&S eye test is designed to check not only your prescription (how well you can see), but the health of your eyes and identify any possible eye conditions that may require further investigation. Depending on your age and family history, your M&S optician may also carry out checks for conditions such as glaucoma and diabetes.

To find out how short or long sighted you are, your optician will run a few tests, including asking you to read letters and words with the print becoming smaller and smaller. Your prescription will be determined by how many of these letters or words you manage to read clearly before needing the help of a corrective lens.

As part of your eye test, your optician will also examine the back of the eye to find out how healthy your eyes are and to check for any potential issues that may require further investigation.

If your eye test determines that your vision requires correction, you’ll receive a prescription that will be unique to you. Your eye test will also have determined whether you’re long sighted (can see into the distance but not so well up close) or are short sighted, and have trouble seeing things far away. If you’re new to glasses and are visiting M&S Opticians for the first time, don’t hesitate to ask the optician for help in understanding your prescription.

Free NHS eyecare

Over 60s and children under the age of 16 are eligible for free NHS eyecare. However, many more people can also receive free NHS eyecare and may not realise it. If any of the below applies to you, you may be entitled to a free NHS eye test and you could also get help towards the cost of your glasses:

• Aged 60+, under 16 or under 19 and in full-time education
• Have diabetes or glaucoma
• Aged 40+ and have a close relative with glaucoma
• Registered blind or partially sighted
• You receive income support or income based allowances

If you’re not sure whether you qualify for free NHS eyecare, come in and see us at M&S Opticians and we’ll be more than happy to offer advice and guidance.

If you do receive free NHS eyecare, you’ll be asked to provide proof of entitlement when you attend your appointment. If you’re unsure what proof you need, just pop in and ask our team or call us on 0330 135 5330.

Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography, also known as OCT, is a non-invasive imaging technique used to take a detailed photo of your eye.

Unlike other retinal photography, where an image may only show the very top layer of the eye, OCT allows us to see each individual layer – meaning we can get a better understanding of the health of your eyes and closely monitor existing conditions.

At M&S Opticians, OCT is included in the price of your eye test – it isn’t an additional cost. This is because we feel the extra information we get is invaluable. It allows us to provide you with the best possible service.

Children's eye tests

At M&S Opticians, you can be confident that your child’s eyecare is a priority – from helping to protect their vision and regularly monitoring their eyesight, to sourcing frame ranges that we know they’ll love (and want to wear).

All eye tests are free for children. If your child is under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education, they’ll be eligible for free NHS eye tests at M&S Opticians. As children grow, their eyes develop, which means their vision can change. That’s why it’s so important to have your child’s eyesight checked on a regular basis. Being able to detect any issues with sight at this crucial stage of development can also help to ensure your child doesn’t fall behind at school.