Our eyes are extremely important, but so often, we neglect to care for them properly. Expert opinion largely falls into the camp that adult eyes should be tested at least once every two years, but it can be fairly hard to find the time to visit the opticians.
You might have a busy work schedule, have issues with travel links or even have mobility issues that limit your ability to get out of the house, which is where private home eye visits can be particularly helpful. This article will explore the best reasons to book your own home eye test, covering the quality of the treatment as well as what you should look for if comparing your options.
At-home eye tests can be conducted with top-quality equipment
The best eye tests at home should be completed by the same standard of optometrists that you would see in their own office. Whoever visits your home should be fully qualified, with a complete set of tools to conduct the test to the highest standard. For example, your visiting optometrist should be registered with the General Optical Council.
The tool set that your optometrist is carrying should include:
- Portable slit lamps for anterior segment examination
- Handheld tonometers for intraocular pressure testing
- Direct ophthalmoscopes and portable retinoscope sets for visual refraction testing
The visit should be just as well equipped and qualified as a trip to any physical office, ensuring you get a proper assessment of your vision and more.
Proper medical assessments of the eyes
Remember, the tests don’t start and end with the assessment of your distance and near visual acuity. It’s also important for a private home eye test to include screening for asymptomatic eye conditions (and other conditions), ensuring you can get sufficient medical attention or prescriptions moving forward.
Relevant conditions to check for include:
- Glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Retinal signs of vascular health issues
- Some signs of certain cancers
Make sure that you book a test that covers all the bases of eye health.
The options for full-service care and aftercare
These visits don’t have to be solely for when you want to test your eyes at home. The eyecare available at home can also include the full services that an optician can provide. It shouldn’t begin and end with a test and a description of your vision.
It should also include elements such as:
- Determining if you require any medical attention on or related to the eyes
- A suitable prescription for lenses
- A broad selection of frames that suit your sense of style and budget
- Custom fitting and delivery for the frames
Seek out private home eye tests with full-service offerings to make the visits totally worthwhile.
Considerate, patient-centred sessions
High-street opticians usually limit appointments to short windows, with a fast turnover of patients. This can make the treatment feel run-of-the-mill and impersonal, with the risk of missing issues. That’s one reason why a home visit eye test can be preferable, as the optometrist can dedicate more time and attention to each of their clients. It allows for a little more time to read through medical history, as well as understanding the requirements of the patient’s lifestyle.
At-home eye tests are likely the best choice if you want a more personalised, tailored optical experience.
Consider booking your private home eye test today
There are plenty of reasons to book a private home eye test, but it’s important to make sure that it covers all the bases laid out in this article. If you struggle with getting to the opticians, have issues with mobility or simply want a better, more private and personal experience, consider booking your home test today.
