Eye Test Question
Discussion
I spend most of my day looking at a computer screen and over the last year or so I have started to notice that my eyes are really tired at the end of the day. It feels like I have to strain to focus (although further objects are fine) so I'm coming to the conclusions that an eye test is required.
Based on the above, woudl it be better to go for an eye test at the end of the day (when my eyes are tired and less able to adapt)? I'm concerned that as I can "force" my eyes to focus in the morning they'll adapt in the test itself and I will end up with a prescription that is weaker than I may need.
Based on the above, woudl it be better to go for an eye test at the end of the day (when my eyes are tired and less able to adapt)? I'm concerned that as I can "force" my eyes to focus in the morning they'll adapt in the test itself and I will end up with a prescription that is weaker than I may need.
Does your employer offer free eye tests as you work with computers?
Not sure if it's built into any Health and Safety Legislation or my employer doing the right thing but I get a free eye test and a free pair of glasses as I use "Display Screen Equipment" or computers to you and me.
Doesn't answer your question about prescriptions should you need glasses though. Yours isn't a unique problem and any decent optician will check your eyes and advise as necessary.
Not sure if it's built into any Health and Safety Legislation or my employer doing the right thing but I get a free eye test and a free pair of glasses as I use "Display Screen Equipment" or computers to you and me.
Doesn't answer your question about prescriptions should you need glasses though. Yours isn't a unique problem and any decent optician will check your eyes and advise as necessary.
Emily's dad said:
Does your employer offer free eye tests as you work with computers?
Not sure if it's built into any Health and Safety Legislation or my employer doing the right thing but I get a free eye test and a free pair of glasses as I use "Display Screen Equipment" or computers to you and me.
Doesn't answer your question about prescriptions should you need glasses though. Yours isn't a unique problem and any decent optician will check your eyes and advise as necessary.
They do, thanks. Just want to make sure that the test is as effective as possibe at highlighting any issue. Not sure if it's built into any Health and Safety Legislation or my employer doing the right thing but I get a free eye test and a free pair of glasses as I use "Display Screen Equipment" or computers to you and me.
Doesn't answer your question about prescriptions should you need glasses though. Yours isn't a unique problem and any decent optician will check your eyes and advise as necessary.
8Ace said:
I spend most of my day looking at a computer screen and over the last year or so I have started to notice that my eyes are really tired at the end of the day. It feels like I have to strain to focus (although further objects are fine) so I'm coming to the conclusions that an eye test is required.
Based on the above, woudl it be better to go for an eye test at the end of the day (when my eyes are tired and less able to adapt)? I'm concerned that as I can "force" my eyes to focus in the morning they'll adapt in the test itself and I will end up with a prescription that is weaker than I may need.
The prescription will be the same at the begining or the end of day, but your ability to focus and compensate for it will get worse as you get more tired. If you do have an inablility to get the two eyes aligned and working together this maybe more noticeable at the end of the day. Eyes often feel tired because you sit and stare at the screen and your blink rate drops dramatically. Try looking up from the screen at regular intervals and blink several times.Based on the above, woudl it be better to go for an eye test at the end of the day (when my eyes are tired and less able to adapt)? I'm concerned that as I can "force" my eyes to focus in the morning they'll adapt in the test itself and I will end up with a prescription that is weaker than I may need.
Interesting. What provision should an employer make for someone who works at a screeen all day? My O/H does in her new job (two months in) but nothing has been mentioned about free eye tests. She wears contact lenses and pays for a 'lens care plan' with her optician. She finds her eyes get sore by the end of each day due, she thinks, to the air conditioning in the office.
Riley Blue said:
Interesting. What provision should an employer make for someone who works at a screeen all day? My O/H does in her new job (two months in) but nothing has been mentioned about free eye tests. She wears contact lenses and pays for a 'lens care plan' with her optician. She finds her eyes get sore by the end of each day due, she thinks, to the air conditioning in the office.
I looked into this at my work, as I also have wear contact lenses. It is only the eye test and basic glasses that are free. Not contact lenses.Craikeybaby said:
I looked into this at my work, as I also have wear contact lenses. It is only the eye test and basic glasses that are free. Not contact lenses.
Yep, if you work with screens for a substantial part of the time (Not sure of the exact wording) you're entitled to a free eye test (I think it's every 2 years), but your employer isn't responsible for buying you glasses.M
marcosgt said:
Yep, if you work with screens for a substantial part of the time (Not sure of the exact wording) you're entitled to a free eye test (I think it's every 2 years), but your employer isn't responsible for buying you glasses.
M
I think that if your opto says you need glasses because of your VDU use then your employer IS responsible for buying the cheapest pair of specs in the shop, or providing a voucher for same. Given that the online suppliers will do glasses from about £15 a go, this isn't much of a contribution.M
My 2p.
I had similar problems, I had spent a few weeks doing only computer based things and I noticed tired eyes and headaches after most days.
I went for a eye test just to check, maybe get VDU glasses, but I was told my eyes were completely fine. I was also told that I probably wasn't spending enough time looking away from my computer at far away things, and that studies have shown that people concentrating on screens blink 4 times fewer than normally, drying out the surface of your eyes. Since then, I have made sure to look away from the screen and blink more. It may be coincidence, but I haven't had anywhere near as many headaches. If I do, I have noticed that I haven't been doing the above.
In fairness, my eyes are very close to 20:20 so that my be playing a part.
I had similar problems, I had spent a few weeks doing only computer based things and I noticed tired eyes and headaches after most days.
I went for a eye test just to check, maybe get VDU glasses, but I was told my eyes were completely fine. I was also told that I probably wasn't spending enough time looking away from my computer at far away things, and that studies have shown that people concentrating on screens blink 4 times fewer than normally, drying out the surface of your eyes. Since then, I have made sure to look away from the screen and blink more. It may be coincidence, but I haven't had anywhere near as many headaches. If I do, I have noticed that I haven't been doing the above.
In fairness, my eyes are very close to 20:20 so that my be playing a part.
Riley Blue said:
Thanks, it's been agreed to provide her with a larger (22") monitor so with that and her existing lens care plan she'll hopefully be OK.
An employer doesn't have to offer eye tests, but if an employee using a screen for a 'significant' part of the day (generally seen to be more than an hour) asks for one they can't refuse and must pay for it. Bigger monitors don't cut it 
bigandclever said:
Riley Blue said:
Thanks, it's been agreed to provide her with a larger (22") monitor so with that and her existing lens care plan she'll hopefully be OK.
An employer doesn't have to offer eye tests, but if an employee using a screen for a 'significant' part of the day (generally seen to be more than an hour) asks for one they can't refuse and must pay for it. Bigger monitors don't cut it 
VDUs and eyetests are covered by a piece of EU legislation from 1993 (not sure what will happen post BREXIT!)
https://www.eyecaretrust.org.uk/view.php?item_id=1...
Normally if we have patients who are on contact lens schemes which include sight tests we provide a written reciept for the normal cost of the sight test if a patient can claim from work as in effect you are paying for it as part of your contact lens package.
https://www.eyecaretrust.org.uk/view.php?item_id=1...
Normally if we have patients who are on contact lens schemes which include sight tests we provide a written reciept for the normal cost of the sight test if a patient can claim from work as in effect you are paying for it as part of your contact lens package.
Emily's dad said:
Does your employer offer free eye tests as you work with computers?
Not sure if it's built into any Health and Safety Legislation or my employer doing the right thing but I get a free eye test and a free pair of glasses as I use "Display Screen Equipment" or computers to you and me.
Doesn't answer your question about prescriptions should you need glasses though. Yours isn't a unique problem and any decent optician will check your eyes and advise as necessary.
Who gives a sNot sure if it's built into any Health and Safety Legislation or my employer doing the right thing but I get a free eye test and a free pair of glasses as I use "Display Screen Equipment" or computers to you and me.
Doesn't answer your question about prescriptions should you need glasses though. Yours isn't a unique problem and any decent optician will check your eyes and advise as necessary.
t? Worst case scenario a test is £35. And that'll test more than the op is talking about!Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff