Optometry

Eye examinations are a vital health check and should be part of everyone's normal health regime. Here are 10 important reasons to have a regular examination:

You only have one pair of eyes - your eyesight may never be replaced once lost.
Your eyes do not usually hurt when there is something wrong.
An examination can pick up early signs of potentially blinding eye conditions, such as glaucoma.
Early detection gives a greater chance of successful treatment. This is particularly true for young children and the elderly.
An examination can also detect a number of other underlying health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
An examination checks whether your eyesight needs correcting and determines the best form of correction for your vision.
Good vision means working and playing better and safer - which equates to a better quality of life.
Good eyesight is vital for learning. An eye examination will detect any problems which may be affecting school performance.
Failing eyesight as people get older is often taken for granted. However, by having an eye examination and remedying problems, older people can significantly improve their quality of life .
Poor eyesight is dangerous - ensure that you meet the legal requirement for driving.

Unless otherwise advised you should have an eye examination every two years. It may be necessary to have examinations more frequently depending on your age and medical history.

Optometrists (previously known as ophthalmic opticians) generally work in community settings and are trained to examine eyes and test sight, and prescribe and dispense spectacles or contact lenses. They can also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate and are trained to recognise eye diseases, they can also use or supply various eye drugs. All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council.

Dispensing opticians advise on, fit and supply spectacle frames and lenses after taking account of each patient's lifestyle and vocational needs. Dispensing opticians are also able to fit contact lenses after undergoing further specialist training. They are also registered with and regulated by the General Optical Council.

Ophthalmic medical practitioners (OMPs) are medical doctors specialising in eye care. Like optometrists, they examine eyes, test sight, diagnose abnormalities and prescribe suitable corrective lenses. OMPs are registered with and regulated by the General Medical Council.

Ophthalmologists specialise in eye disease, treatment and surgery. Medically qualified, they mainly work in eye hospitals and hospital eye departments. Ophthalmologists are registered and regulated by the General Medical Council.

Orthoptists generally work with ophthalmologists in hospitals and in the community. They are concerned with eye problems relating to eye movements and the inability of the eyes to work together. Examples of these problems are squint (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia) and double vision (diplopia). Orthoptists are registered with the Health Professions Council.

Further information can be found on the College of Optometrists website.