NHS optician is still the term most of us associate with their eye healthcare professional. However, the term is being used less and less within the profession and it is important you know who you are dealing with when you have your eye care appointment. When you visit an optician, you'll have your sight tested by an ophthalmic practitioner, which can mean either an optometrist or an ophthalmic medical practitioner. A ophthamic practitioner will check the quality of your vision and eye health. Both, optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitiones are trained to recognise abnormalities and signs of any eye disease such as cataracts or glaucoma. If necessary they will refer you on a specialist doctor or eye surgeon for further advice and treatment. They also prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses. Learn more about eye healthcare professionals in the FAQ section.
It is recommended that you visit an ophthalmic practitioner for a sight test every two years or sooner if you've been asked to do so. This is important because an eye examination can detect potentially blinding eye conditions. It is easy to neglect the eyes because they rarely hurt when there is a problem. In many cases it is not possible to restore the vision that has been lost, but it is sometimes possible to stop or slow down the loss of vision. Find an optician near you.
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An NHS sight test is free of charge if clinically necessary. It is up to your ophthalmic practitioner to decide whether a sight test was necessary in your case or not. If you ask for a sight test and it is not considered clinically necessary you may have to pay for it even if you are usually entitled to a free NHS sight test. For more information visit the entitlements and cost section.
After the sight test the person who tested your eyes must give you a copy of your spectacle prescription (whether new or unchanged) or a statement saying that you did not need a prescription; this is a legal requirement. This statement will also say if you are being referred to your GP or ophthalmic hospital.
If you are not happy with the service or treatment provided by your ophthalmic practitoner then you have the right to make a complaint. See the FAQ section for more adivce. You can also find detailed information about the NHS complaints procedure on this site.
