Optometrist/Eye Test

I have been looking into getting an eye test. Right now, I just have glasses for reading and computer use but I think I may need a different prescription. It looks like I can just go to a place like Spec Savers for an exam and it is not through the NHS at all. Is this presumption correct?
Does anyone recommend a place to go? I think there are quite a few in Welwyn Garden City where I live.
How much are eye tests here? I have seen deals where you can buy one pair of glasses and get another free or 2 pairs for 100 pounds, etc. I am assuming I pay for an eye test and then for the glasses.
Does anyone have any more information about this?

Do you have a job? I'm only asking because I know at my last job they offered every employee one free eye test a year at Specsavers. It might be worth asking your HR if they have anything like that.

Yes, I just got a job with the NHS. On the medical form/Occupational Health form I remember it asked me if I have had an eye test in I think the last year but can't remember for sure. I wonder if that is why it asked that?

I don't know if this is helpful, but Sainsbury's often offers free eye tests in conjunction with D&A. I don't know if they will give you your prescription to use elsewhere though.

Yes, I just got a job with the NHS. On the medical form/Occupational Health form I remember it asked me if I have had an eye test in I think the last year but can't remember for sure. I wonder if that is why it asked that?

It could be. I don't remember being asked on a form, but we would periodically get emails reminding us of this perk. I'd think if you're working for the NHS there's a good chance they'll offer this.

It's also worth mentioning if you have a family history of glaucoma - if so your eye test will be free.  My mother and grandmother both had it so I get the test free everytime.  I've had no trouble with this at either D&A or Specsavers.

Ok, I will hold off on getting anything until I find out of work covers it.

For those that live in Scotland, eye tests are free.

But I do see that for places that need to pay, there's a lot of deals that come up in various places for free eye tests- especially if you end up needing glasses. 

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but for these eye tests that everyone is talking about, is this literally just to see what your prescription is or do they do the whole dilating thing, have special equipment to check the health of your eyes, etc?  I need to have this done once a year and am not sure if I should be going to that sort of place or if I need to ask my GP for a referral elsewhere?  Also, if this is something I would need to do through the NHS rather than these eye tests places, how often does the NHS typically permit these checkups?  Would I have a problem getting this done every year? 

Not sure, but I think you're supposed to get one of these tests first optomistrist checks, but if there are issues, they refer you to a specialist.  If you have special issues, you can check with your GP though? 

I get my eye health checked-drops for the front of the eyes, cameras, pressure checked, etc- not just my Rx.

I'm being monitored by the optomistrist specifically for some health issues, but it hasn't raised enough flags yet to go to a specialist. 

For my eye doc appointment here, they did all the vision checks, plus that thing where they blow air into your eye.  They didn't do the dilation drops, but as my ocular pressure was reading a little high on the blow-air thingie - my eye doc has a specialist camera that takes a picture of the back of your eye & and the optic nerve, etc.  So I opted for having that done - it was an extra fee (not outrageous though).  I don't remember how much the exam cost in itself because I paid for it & my new glasses all together (and my new glasses cost the bomb - extra thin compressed lenses, designer frames, varifocals - so the cost of the eye exam paled far by comparison).  If you have to get glasses, I'd say wait & get them in the US if you need something beyond basic glasses - they are just so freaking expensive here!  A year of my contact lenses, however, were half the price of my glasses!

thanks phatbeetle and Mrs Robinson-- that sounds like the kind of check-up i am looking for.  i don't have any special issues per say, but due to a family history, i am supposed to get that stuff done once a year...for some reason, i assumed the people in the shops were just checking your vision from an eye chart and nothing else! 

...for some reason, i assumed the people in the shops were just checking your vision from an eye chart and nothing else!  

Oh no!  They have the machines & equipment to check all sorts of things, same as my optician in the US did.  I think the specialist camera (for the optic nerve) might not be everywhere though (the place I used to go in the US didn't even have that! I thought it was so cool & kinda gross seeing the back of my eyeball on film!) - you could inquire about the checks they do more specifically at a particular place before you book the appointment.  

thanks phatbeetle and Mrs Robinson-- that sounds like the kind of check-up i am looking for.  i don't have any special issues per say, but due to a family history, i am supposed to get that stuff done once a year...for some reason, i assumed the people in the shops were just checking your vision from an eye chart and nothing else!  

Specsavers doesn't do the camera, but Vision Express in the Grafton Centre does.  You might actually have to go there, as much as you have somehow been avoiding it for like a year.   

Specsavers doesn't do the camera, but Vision Express in the Grafton Centre does.  You might actually have to go there, as much as you have somehow been avoiding it for like a year.   

haha!  one of these days i will get around to going there...it's totally the story i heard from a friend when i first arrived about bed bugs being in the movie theatre...i have bad associations with the place now!