1) I need an Eye Test, what does this involved?

2) How often do I need to have an eye test?

3) I wear contact lenses, how long should I take them out before having my eyes tested?

4) What if I forget when my appointment is due?

5) How old does my child have to be to have an eye exam?

6) Can I cancel or change my appointment?

7) What are your opening times?

8) Do I need an appointment to choose, collect or adjust my glasses?

9) Do I qualify for a NHS voucher to help towards the cost of my glasses?

10) I’m on a low income/am a student; do I qualify for help with my glasses?

11) Do you provide discount?

12) What types of frames do you have in store?

13) Can you put new lenses in my old frame?

14) Do you offer a repair sevice?

1)I need an eye test, what does this involve?

To book your appointment it is usually best to ring 2 – 3 days before you would like to come; Saturdays, lunch time and after school appointments can fill quickly.

The cost of a private eye examination is £25.00

If you qualify for a NHS eye examination you need to;

• be under 16,
• be 16 – 19 in full time education,
• be over 60,
• be on income support,
• be on job seekers allowance,
• be prescribed complex lenses,
• be diabetic
• have glaucoma
• have a family history of glaucoma
• have a valid HC2 certificate

To comply with the NHS rules, you need to bring with you some evidence of benefits you receive or your national insurance number.  If you have not been to us before it is helpful to have a copy of your last prescription or the glasses you are currently using.

Some employers are members of schemes such as Eye Care Paln or Eye Care Vouchers, which cover the cost of your eye test and may help towards the cost of glasses.  Some employers have their own scheme and will pay for your eye test if you spend a large number of hours on the computer.The eye test will take approximately 30 minutes, if you are over 40 we do also perform a peripheral field’s test that takes around 10 minutes.  top

2) How often do I need to have an eye test?

• Children under 16 can have a NHS eye test once a year.
• If you are 16-19 in FTE you can have an eye test every two years.
• Adults16 – 69 require an eye test every two years.  If you pay privately your prescription is valid for two years but you can come each year if you prefer. 
• Adults over 70 are entitled to a NHS eye test each year.
• Diabetic and glaucoma patients require a yearly eye test.

3) I wear contact lenses, how long should I take them out before having my eyes tested?

If you wear soft contact lenses please take them out 10 minutes before your appointment or bring your container and some solution to the appointment so they can be removed.

If you wear gas permeable lenses please take them out the night before your eye test. top

4) What if I forget when my appointment is due?

We have a reminder system and will send you a reminder when you are due for an eye test as long as your address details are up to date. We will also give you a phone call the day before your appointment as a reminder.top

5) How old does my child have to be to have an eye exam?

We can test children from any age; ideally it would be best for them to have an eye test before starting school.  Generally any eye problems in babies are picked up during post natal checks and are dealt with by the hospital. top

6) Can I cancel or change my appointment?

Yes, though we do require you to notify us in time, preferably as early as possible but the day before your test is due at the latest or if due to illness on the day of your test.  top  


7) What are your opening times?

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.

Saturdays 9am – 4pm.

Our first appointment is at 9am and the last appointment is at 4.30pm, but on Saturdays the last appointment is 3.30pm.  top

8) Do I need an appointment to choose, collect or adjust my glasses?

No, but glasses do need to be fitted and may need adjusting to suit you; please allow up to 15 minutes for this.If you are requiring advice and assistance from our qualified dispensers, please be advised our busy times are lunchtimes and Saturdays. top

9) Do I qualify for a NHS voucher to help towards the cost of my glasses?

Yes, if you are on;

• pension credit guaranteed credit,
• income support or job seekers allowance,
• are prescribed complex lenses,
• working family tax credit,
• under 16,
• under 19 and in full time education,
• named on a valid HC2 or HC3 certificate.

The NHS voucher helps towards the cost of your lenses only and depends on your prescription and ranges from around £35 - £100.top

10) I’m on a low income/am a student; do I qualify for help with my glasses?

We can provide a HC1 form for you to fill in and send off to the NHS in a prepaid envelope, they will calculate how much help you are entitled to; this process can take around 2 weeks. top

11) Do you provide discount?

Yes, students receive a 20% discount, also if you buy a second pair of glasses within a year of buying your first pair we offer a 20% discount. Customers who sign up to our contact lens standing order also recieve 10% off the purchase of glasses. top

12) What types of frames do you have in store?

We stock a number of designers and pride ourselves on having a wide range of frames. If you have seen a designer you like we may be able to order the frame in for you to view.

With the majority of frames we can order them on approval for set period of time before you order and if you decide they are not suitable we can return them.  Some brands do not allow approval requests such as Oakley sunglasses. 
Approval is for frames only; once you have chosen a frame and ordered lenses for that frame you have entered a contract to buy them. We will need to see a receipt for frames not bought from our store in order to combat theft.

Our frames range from £20 upwards.  We also stock a complete package of frame and lenses that may be covered by your NHS voucher if you are entitled to one.

If you have seen a frame you like we may be able to order this in for you we will need the designer make, model number and preferably colour code found on the arm or bridge of the frame to identify it; magazine advertisements should have the model number and colour code written somewhere.

For every child under 16 the is a free eye test and voucher available that helps towards the cost of glasses, which usually covers the cost of a standard pair of glasses.  A payment can be made privately if you wish to upgrade the style of frame. top


13) Can you put new lenses in my old frame?

Yes, if the frame is in good condition.

We are raely able to put old lenses into a new frame, as lenses are made up to your prescription and the shape, curve and thickness of your lenses are part of this.  We are always willing to try, but it would be necessary to find a frame the same shape and size as your lenses if it is possible.  top

14) Do you offer a repair service?

Sometimes the thread can go in a screw causing the lens to fall out this is a relatively quick job and can be done while you wait; with a semi rimless or supra, the cord may snap or loosen.  As long as the lens is undamaged we can replace the screw and fit the lens back in while you wait.  A cord replacement may take a little longer and it is often better to drop your glasses off before you shop and collect them later.
Some repairs can be done on site, but it may be necessary to order in a part or to send the frame away to be repaired.  Therefore it is recommended to have a second back up pair of glasses in case you cannot drive or read without them.

Unfortunately we are unable to buff out scratches or scuffs on lenses as they are made up to your prescription and the shape, curve and thickness of your lenses are part of this.  top