Our Services
From routine eye tests to specialist clinical care, we provide a full range of optical and ophthalmic services under one roof.
Eye Examinations
NHS Eye Tests
A sight test is a vital health check that can detect early signs of eye conditions before you notice any changes to your vision. Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, can be treated effectively if detected early enough.
You may be eligible for a free NHS-funded eye test if you:
- Are under 16 years of age
- Are under 19 and in full-time education
- Are aged 60 or over
- Are registered blind or partially sighted
- Have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- Are aged 40 or over with an immediate family member diagnosed with glaucoma
- Have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
- Are entitled to certain means-tested benefits including Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Are named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate
Private Eye Tests
For those who are not eligible for an NHS-funded eye test, we offer comprehensive private eye examinations. Our private tests include all the same thorough checks as an NHS examination, ensuring your eyes are healthy and your prescription is up to date.
We recommend an eye test every two years for most adults, or annually if you are over 60, have a family history of eye disease, or have been advised by your optometrist.
During your examination, your optometrist will assess your visual acuity, check for refractive errors, examine the health of your eyes including the retina and optic nerve, measure your eye pressure, and discuss any concerns you may have about your vision.
Contact Lenses
Our experienced team provides expert contact lens fitting and ongoing aftercare for all types of contact lenses, including daily disposables, monthly lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, and multifocal lenses for presbyopia.
The LOOK-SEE-FEEL Protocol
We follow the LOOK-SEE-FEEL approach to ensure every contact lens fit is right for you:
- LOOK — We assess how the lens looks on your eye, checking the fit, centration, and movement
- SEE — We measure your vision with the lenses in place to ensure you achieve the clearest, most comfortable sight
- FEEL — We check how the lenses feel, ensuring they are comfortable throughout the day
Whether you are new to contact lenses or an existing wearer looking for a better fit, we will take the time to find the ideal solution for your lifestyle and visual needs.
Lens Care
Proper contact lens care is essential for eye health. We provide comprehensive guidance on cleaning, storing, and replacing your lenses, along with regular aftercare appointments to monitor the health of your eyes.
OCT Scanning
What Is OCT?
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an advanced, non-invasive imaging technology that produces detailed, high-resolution 3D scans of the layers of your retina and optic nerve head. Think of it as an ultrasound for the eye, but using light instead of sound to create cross-sectional images with extraordinary detail.
OCT enables us to see beneath the surface of your eye, detecting changes at a cellular level that would otherwise be invisible during a standard examination.
The Procedure
The OCT scan is quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. You simply sit in front of the instrument and look at a target while the scan is taken. The entire process takes only a few minutes and requires no eye drops or contact with your eye.
Benefits
OCT scanning enables early detection and monitoring of:
- Glaucoma and optic nerve damage
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema
- Macular holes and epiretinal membranes
- Vitreous detachment
We recommend OCT scanning as part of a comprehensive eye examination, particularly for patients over 40 or those with a family history of eye disease.
Low Vision Aids
Low vision refers to a significant visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, or medical treatment. Our low vision service helps people make the most of their remaining vision through specialist assessments and tailored visual aids.
NHS Low Vision Clinics
Our Director, Sara Porter, holds NHS low vision clinics at Orsett Hospital and Southend Hospital, providing expert assessments and support to patients with significant visual impairment. These clinics are funded by the NHS and available to referred patients.
Private Low Vision Assessments
We also offer private low vision assessments at our practice in Shenfield. During these sessions, we evaluate your visual needs and recommend appropriate aids and strategies to help with everyday tasks such as reading, writing, watching television, and getting about safely.
Products Available
- Hand-held and stand magnifiers
- Illuminated magnifiers
- Spectacle-mounted magnifiers
- Electronic video magnifiers (CCTV)
- Tinted lenses and filters for glare reduction
- Task-specific lighting solutions
Emergency Eye Care (MECS)
The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) is an NHS-funded service that allows patients with sudden or recent eye problems to be assessed and treated by our qualified optometrists, without the need for a GP referral or a visit to A&E.
This service is suitable for conditions such as:
- Red or painful eyes
- Dry or gritty eyes
- Watery or sticky eyes
- Flashes of light or new floaters
- Recent changes in vision or blurred vision
- Foreign body sensation
- Eyelid lumps, swelling, or infections
- Itchy or irritated eyes, including allergic reactions
If you experience a sudden eye problem, please telephone us on 01277 212978 and we will arrange an appointment as quickly as possible. For serious injuries or sudden complete loss of vision, please attend your nearest A&E department.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Understanding the Condition
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina. High blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels that supply the retina with oxygen and nutrients, leading to vision problems and, if untreated, sight loss.
The condition develops gradually and often has no symptoms in the early stages, which is why regular eye examinations are essential for all people with diabetes.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Gradually worsening vision
- Sudden vision loss
- Floaters (shapes floating in your field of vision)
- Blurred or patchy vision
- Eye pain or redness
Complications
Without early detection and treatment, diabetic retinopathy can lead to serious complications:
- Diabetic Macular Oedema (DME) — Fluid leaks into the macula causing swelling and blurred central vision, making everyday tasks such as reading and driving difficult
- Neovascular Glaucoma — New, abnormal blood vessels grow on the iris, blocking the natural drainage of fluid from the eye and raising the internal eye pressure
- Retinal Detachment — Scar tissue from abnormal blood vessel growth can pull the retina away from the back of the eye, which requires urgent surgical treatment
Early detection through regular eye examinations and OCT scanning can help identify diabetic eye changes before significant damage occurs. If you have diabetes, we strongly recommend annual eye examinations.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve, connecting the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It is usually caused by a build-up of fluid pressure within the eye, though it can also occur at normal pressures.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. In England and Wales alone, over 700,000 people are estimated to have glaucoma, and approximately half of all cases remain undiagnosed. Early detection is essential because any vision lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered.
Who Is at Risk?
- People aged 40 and over, with risk increasing with age
- Those with a family history of glaucoma (parents or siblings)
- People of African or Caribbean descent
- Those with very short sight or very long sight
- People with diabetes
The Importance of Early Detection
Glaucoma usually develops slowly and without noticeable symptoms until significant peripheral vision has been lost. Regular eye examinations, including pressure checks and optic nerve assessment, are the only reliable way to detect glaucoma early. Our OCT scanner provides detailed imaging of the optic nerve, enabling us to detect structural changes even before visual field loss occurs.
If you are over 40 and have a close relative with glaucoma, you are entitled to a free NHS eye test. Please contact us to book your examination.
Questions About Our Services?
Our team is happy to discuss which services are most appropriate for you. Get in touch or book an appointment online.