1. Am I entitled to free eyecare?

2. What is Glaucoma?

3. What is Macular Degeneration?

4. The Eye Examination

5. What is Myopia?

6. What is Hypermetropia?

Am I entitled to free eyecare?

Eye Examinations are free under the NHS if :
You are under 16.
You are under 19 in full time education.
You are over 60.
You or your partner receive income support, working families tax credit/income based job seekers allowance.
You have a low income (with HC2 Certificate).
You are prescribed complex lenses.
You receive disabled persons Tax Credit.
You are registered blind or partially sighted.
You have diabetes or glaucoma.
You are over 40 and an immediate family member has glaucoma.
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What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. It is often, but not
always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye.

What is Macular Degeneration?

Age related Macular Degeneration is a medical condition which usually affects older adults that results in a loss of vision in the
center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause
of visual impairment in older adults (>50 years). Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize
faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.

The Eye Examination

It goes without saying that your eyesight and that of your family is extremely important. Health service recommendation is for
an examination every two years and more frequently for children, the elderly or if you or a family member suffer from certain
eye or general health problems. It is particularly important for all pre-school children to be examined regularly to ensure that
their eyesight is developing properly. Regular eye examinations enable us to ensure you enjoy the best possible vision at all
times. We offer patients ample appointment times to allow for an unhurried examination and detailed discussion to establish
your dispensing needs together with tailored vocational and recreational advice.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is not inherited but is caused by excessive reading and other close work. After doing prolonged
close work, the focusing muscle inside the eye locks up into a state of near focus. Over time this will lead to permanent near-
sightedness, an abnormal lengthening of the eye that can lead to eye disease.

What is Hypermetropia?

Hypermetropia, is a defect of vision caused by an imperfection in the eye (often when the eyeball is too short or the lens cannot
become round enough), causing difficulty focusing on near objects, and in extreme cases causing a sufferer to be unable to focus
on objects at any distance. As an object moves toward the eye, the eye must increase its optical power to keep the image in focus
on the retina. If the power of the cornea and lens is insufficient, as in hypermetropia, the image will appear blurred.