Expert Eye Tests in Northern Ireland

Private and NHS

An eye test isn’t just about checking to see if you need glasses or contact lenses, although that’s obviously the main reason people visit an optician. An eye test is a check on the health of your eyes and can detect many common eye conditions that if found and treated early can significantly prevent potential sight loss. They can also spot health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes in the early stages.

Most people should have an eye test every two years, although if you have a family history of glaucoma or diabetes, you’ll need to have your eyes checked more frequently. An expert eye test at Sam Baird Optician costs just £30 and is free to those who qualify for NHS sight tests.

You can check if you qualify for NHS entitlement by clicking the link

Advanced Scanning - Optical Coherence Tomography

An Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT) uses light waves to take a series of cross sections of the back surface of your eye. These scans are combined to give a 3D image of the layers of the eye, along with a digital photograph of the eye.

This allows your optometrist to detect changes which could indicate eye disease much earlier than with the standard eye test and with early detection and treatment, should help to prevent sight loss.

An OCT Enhanced Eye Exam is only £50, or £20 for NHS patients.

Esterman Visual Field Test

If you’ve recently disclosed an eye condition that affects the quality of your vision, the DVLA will likely require you to take a visual field test.

The Esterman Visual Field Test is carried out on both eyes together (binocularly) and while wearing any glasses that you normally wear when driving. The test is carried out on a visual field analyser, a computerised machine where you respond to small, flashing lights by pressing a button whilst looking straight ahead.