How well you see
Your vision is checked with and without spectacles.
Comprehensive Vision Care
A thorough eye check, explained in plain language.
An examination looks at how well you see and how healthy your eyes are. It is where any further care begins, explained step by step.
Comprehensive Vision Care
What a comprehensive examination is
A comprehensive eye examination looks at more than your spectacle number. The doctor checks how well you see, how your eyes work together and the health of the structures inside and around the eye. It is for adults and for children, whether or not they wear glasses.
Many eye conditions, such as cataract, glaucoma and the eye changes that can come with diabetes, develop slowly and without pain. An examination can find them before they cause obvious symptoms, which is often when they are easiest to manage.
It is also the starting point for any further tests or treatment. The tests used depend on your symptoms, age and health and are chosen by the doctor, who explains the findings in plain language so that you understand what comes next.
At the examination
What an examination may include
The tests used depend on your symptoms and age and are chosen by the doctor. This page does not list the equipment available.
- Your history and symptoms
- The doctor asks about your vision, general health, medicines and family history, which helps to decide what to check.
- How well you see
- Your distance and near vision are checked, with and without spectacles, one eye at a time and together.
- Spectacle needs
- Your eyes are tested to see whether glasses would help, or whether your prescription has changed.
- How your eyes work together
- Eye movement and alignment may be checked, because eyes that do not work as a team can cause strain, double vision or headaches.
- Eye pressure
- The pressure inside the eye may be measured, as part of looking for conditions such as glaucoma.
- The front of the eye
- The eyelids, the surface of the eye, the clear front window (cornea) and the lens are examined, which can show dryness, infection, injury or the early clouding of a cataract.
- The back of the eye
- The retina and the optic nerve are looked at, sometimes after drops that widen the pupil. This is how changes from conditions such as glaucoma or diabetes can be seen.
See it explained
What happens during a comprehensive eye examination
Each step checks a different part of your vision and eye health.
Spectacle needs
Your eyes are tested to see whether glasses would help, or whether your prescription has changed.
Eye pressure
The pressure inside the eye may be measured as part of looking for conditions such as glaucoma.
The front of the eye
The eyelids, the surface of the eye and the lens are examined.
The back of the eye
The retina and optic nerve are looked at, sometimes after drops that widen the pupil.
The tests used depend on your symptoms and age and are chosen by the doctor.
Know the signs
Reasons to book an eye check
- A change in your vision, or spectacles that no longer help as they did
- Frequent headaches, or tired, strained eyes when reading or using screens
- Eyes that water, feel dry or irritated, or look red often
- Seeing floaters or flashes of light, which should be checked promptly
- Diabetes or high blood pressure, for which regular eye checks are usually advised
- A family history of eye disease such as glaucoma
- A child who sits very close to screens, squints, rubs the eyes often or struggles to read
- Being over 40, when changes in near vision and the risk of some eye conditions begin to rise
- It has been a long time since your last examination
Sudden loss of vision, a new eye injury, or severe eye pain needs urgent medical attention. Do not wait for a routine appointment.
What to expect
What an assessment involves
A general outline of a visit. The tests used are chosen by the doctor, and you can ask questions at any point.
Before you come
Bring previous prescriptions and eye reports, your current spectacles or contact lenses and a list of your medicines. Note down any symptoms and questions you want to raise.
Your history and symptoms
The doctor asks about your vision, any symptoms, your general health, medicines and family history, because these shape which tests are useful for you.
The examination
Your vision is checked, and the front and back of the eye are examined. Some visits include drops that widen the pupil; they can blur vision for some hours, so ask whether to bring someone with you.
The doctor's explanation
The findings are explained in plain language, and your questions are answered. If glasses would help, you are told what your eyes need.
Next steps
If further tests or treatment are advised, the doctor explains why, what the options are and what to expect.
Review
The doctor tells you when to have your eyes checked again, which depends on your age, health and what was found.
Watch
Videos on this topic
Dr. Poonam Jain's centre shares short videos on its YouTube channel and in its own footage.
Videos are general information, not a substitute for an examination. They complement the written information on this page.
Pressing play loads YouTube's player (privacy-enhanced mode). Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Pressing play loads YouTube's player (privacy-enhanced mode). Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
Questions patients often ask
This page is general information, not medical advice. Your own eyes need to be examined before anyone can advise you.
How often should I have an eye examination?
It depends on your age, your health and any eye conditions. People with diabetes or a family history of eye disease are usually advised to have checks more regularly. The doctor will advise you.
How is a comprehensive examination different from a simple vision test?
A vision test only checks how clearly you see and whether glasses would help. A comprehensive examination also looks at the health of the eye, including the optic nerve and retina, and can find problems that do not yet affect your sight.
Can an examination find eye problems before I notice them?
Often, yes. Cataract, glaucoma and some retinal changes can develop slowly without pain or obvious symptoms, so a regular examination is how they are usually found early.
Will I need drops that widen the pupil?
Sometimes. They help the doctor see the back of the eye. They can blur near vision and make light uncomfortable for some hours, so avoid planning to drive straight afterwards.
Is an examination uncomfortable?
Most parts are comfortable, though some drops can sting briefly. Tell the team if you are uncomfortable at any point.
What should I bring?
Your current glasses or contact lenses, earlier prescriptions and eye reports, and a list of your medicines. If you have diabetes or other health conditions, bring any recent reports too.
Should children have their eyes examined?
Yes, if there are signs such as squinting, sitting very close to screens, frequent eye rubbing or difficulty at school, or if there is a family history of eye problems. Children cannot always say that something is wrong with their eyes.
How do I arrange one?
Please call the centre to ask about arranging an eye consultation.
Speak to the centre about your eyes.
Contact the centre to plan your visit or arrange an eye consultation.
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