Is it worth paying extra for ‘advanced eye examination’?

[RainyAfternoon]

Looking for a little advice if there’s anyone that can help.

I need to make an appointment for an eye test. I don’t have a regular optician as I had corrective surgery 8 years ago, but my vision is now beginning to deteriorate so I need a check. My choice in town is Specsavers who are offering eye tests for £10 at the moment and Leightons who do a basic eye test but also offer ‘Optomap’ for £80 total which is a ‘detailed digital image of the retina’ and can spot earlier signs of problems than normal retinal photography.

I obviously don’t want to be paying through the nose for Leightons decor if their technology doesn’t give anything extra... but am aware I’m at higher risk of retinal problems as prior to surgery I had a very high prescription, and am now in my late 40s. Eyesight is precious so I will buy the extra test if it really is something worth doing, but not sure if it’s all just marketing!

Does anyone have any insight into this? I really don’t have a clue!

Thank you!!

I'm pretty sure I had something similar as standard at Boots recently. Why don't you see what the other opticians offer in their standard tests?

Thanks, yes I did- I think they all tend to offer retinal photography, just this is being touted as better than that!

The photo of my eye was pretty detailed, though I'm not expert, obviously. Unless you have specific reason to be concerned, I'd probably go for the bog standard option.

I think you’re right - I just got a bit alarmed recently by something I’d read recently on sight risks associated with high prescriptions. But if they’re checking your eyes they’re checking your eyes...

Thank you

Optomap has a vastly superior field of view to standard fundus photography which is just the central part of the eye.
If you were previously a high myope it might be worth while from the point of view of taking a baseline measure but if you have no symptoms that are of concern then it’s not necessary as such but is better to take your eye health as seriously as you can afford to.

The Optomap gives up to a 200 degree view of the retina as opposed to the 45 degrees a standard retinal photograph does. And when you've had a high prescription it's the periphery that is more likely to have hidden problems. So I say go for the best you can.

Ah, now the differences have been explained I've changed my mind. Go for the better one (but see if you can maybe get it elsewhere more cheaply!).

Specsavers do a detailed scan for an extra £10 which can detect things earlier and gives very clear (quite fascinating images)

I decided it was worth the extra as I have a family history of glaucoma so early detection would be worth it

www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/oct-scan That’s the specsavers one. I don’t know if it’s the same as what has been mentioned above

I had the extra specsavers one as I have retinal scarring from shingles and it was especially recommended (I don't think they were just saying that as both DD and DH were told they could have it if they wanted but it was particularly indicated). They show you afterwards and it is very detailed.

I have had my eyes checked every couple of years since I had my eyes lasered, more because of them checking my optical health than for the prescription.

I probably wouldn't pay for extra checks, but in my late 40s (I turn 47 soon) I am expecting to need reading glasses at my next appointment, which is just an age thing. Also, my inability not to turn into a blinking weeping mess at the air puff test means I have had extra tests on the NHS. But you probably haven’t had those issues, so there could be more value in it.

Thank you everyone, I feel like I know a bit more now. It’s interesting.

Looks like the extra is definitely worth doing. It seems the Specsaver Oct one is the same as Leightons but not nearly so expensive... but unfortunately they don’t offer it in my home town and Leightons does. I’m overseas at the moment and only back for a few days so will probably go close to home and expensive!
But all good to know!

Although as someone who once worked in that field, I would argue, that they should perform that if it was felt you required it, and that it would be somewhat negligent, not to use every tool possible.