What happens during an eye test?

How do we test people’s vision?

During a routine eye examination, an eye health worker, such as an optometrist, performs a series of short tests. This usually includes:

• Eye health screening: the patient is asked if they have any issues, such as blurred vision, pain or discharge. The eye health worker will then examine the health of the eye. This is usually done using a special type of torch called an ophthalmoscope, or a type of microscope called a slit lamp.
• Visual acuity checks: the patient is asked to read from charts to test what’s known as their ‘visual acuity’ – how clearly they can see at different distances. A Snellen chart is commonly used for checking distance vision, but other charts may be more suitable, depending on the person’s age, language or disability.
• Refraction assessment: if the patient has difficulty reading during the tests, the health worker can use prescription lenses to determine if they have a refractive error, such as myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness), or age-related vision changes. If this is the case, they will need spectacles.

As these tests don’t require complex medical equipment or electricity, they can be done in many different places, helping to bring eye care to everyone.