Patient guide

Eye consultations, examinations and procedures

Practical information about preparing for a consultation, undergoing eye examinations, using prescribed treatments and recognising situations that need prompt ophthalmic assessment.

Request an appointment Explore ophthalmic examinations

Quick navigation

Information to help you prepare

01Before your consultationDocuments, medication, symptoms and relevant medical history. 02The eye consultationStages of examination and investigations recommended on clinical grounds. 03Investigations and pupil dilationOCT, biometry, visual fields, fundus assessment and pupil dilation. 04Contact lensesWhen they can affect refraction, topography or biometry. 05Procedures and surgeryPreparation, medication, consent and aftercare. 06Treatment and follow-upUsing eye drops, follow-up visits and warning signs.

Before your consultation

Preparation helps ensure that relevant clinical information is available

An ordinary eye consultation does not generally require special preparation. Information about symptoms, medication, eye history and general medical conditions that may affect your eyes or treatment is important.

note your main reason for attending and when the symptoms started;
report whether symptoms affect one or both eyes and whether they are stable, progressive or started suddenly;
bring a list of current treatments, including anticoagulants, diabetes medications, prostate medications and eye drops;
report medication allergies and previous reactions to eye drops, contrast agents or anaesthetics;
bring previous OCT, visual field, biometry and topography results, fundus photographs and medical letters, if available;
do not stop or adjust chronic medication before the consultation unless a clinician has explicitly instructed you to do so.

For children

Previous glasses prescriptions, refraction results, axial-length measurements where available and information about myopia progression are useful. The ophthalmologist may recommend cycloplegic refraction in some cases.

The eye consultation

The examination is tailored to your symptoms and ocular history

A consultation may include visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, slit-lamp examination of the front of the eye, and assessment of the retina and optic nerve. Further tests are recommended according to clinical findings.

Visual acuity and refraction

Vision is assessed with and without correction, and the required optical prescription is estimated.

Intraocular pressure

Tonometry may be part of a routine assessment or glaucoma monitoring.

Slit-lamp and fundus examination

The doctor examines the cornea, anterior chamber, lens and, when indicated, the retina and optic nerve.

Report sudden visual changes immediately

Sudden vision loss, new double vision, severe eye pain or acute retinal symptoms change the priority of the examination and may require urgent assessment.

Investigations and pupil dilation

Some examinations require preparation or may temporarily affect your vision

OCT, ocular biometry, specular microscopy, fundus photography, visual field testing, ocular ultrasound and refractive measurements serve different purposes. Some tests may need to be repeated when fixation, blinking, the tear film or signal quality prevents an adequately accurate measurement.

Pupil dilation

Dilating eye drops allow a better view of the retina and may be needed for several reasons. Afterwards, near vision can become blurred and sensitivity to light may increase for several hours. Do not drive while your vision is affected. Sunglasses can reduce light discomfort. ^[1][2]

tell the team before dilation if you have previously reacted to dilating eye drops;
if you need to drive after your consultation, ask whether dilation is likely to be required and arrange alternative transport if necessary;
report positioning difficulties or problems keeping your head still before visual field tests or other examinations requiring sustained fixation;
for biometry, keratometry or topography, the ocular surface and contact lens wear can affect measurement accuracy.

Explore available eye examinations

Contact lenses

Wearing contact lenses may affect certain corneal and refractive measurements

Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of the corneal surface and tear film. Some tests, especially topography, corneal tomography, keratometry, biometry or precise refraction assessments, may require you to stop wearing lenses before measurement.

tell reception or the doctor which lenses you wear: soft, toric, rigid gas-permeable, orthokeratology or other types;
follow the lens-free interval provided by the clinic; it varies with lens type and the planned investigation;
bring glasses and a contact lens case if you arrive wearing lenses;
do not resume contact lens use after a procedure or while using certain eye medicines unless instructed to do so.

Before preoperative measurements

For intraocular lens calculations or refractive assessment, measurements require a sufficiently stable ocular surface. The doctor may recommend repeating them if results are inconsistent.

Procedures and surgery

Preparation depends on the specific procedure and your medical profile

For surgery, laser treatment or other procedures, written instructions from your clinician take precedence over general information. Report chronic medications, allergies, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and all anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatments.

Before the procedure

Check that all requested documents, laboratory results or medical clearances are available and follow instructions regarding food and medications.

Informed consent

The procedure, expected benefits, alternatives, risks and limitations are discussed before consent is given.

After the procedure

You will receive your treatment schedule, temporary restrictions, follow-up date and information about warning signs.

do not stop aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants or other important treatments without medical advice;
if the procedure involves pupil dilation, sedation or surgery, arrange transport according to the instructions you receive;
inform the clinic before your procedure if you develop fever, an infection, conjunctivitis, eye discharge, an injury or a significant change in your general health.

A separate cataract surgery page explains preoperative preparation, intraocular lens selection, surgical risks and postoperative care.

Open the cataract guide

Treatment and follow-up

Your written treatment plan and recommended follow-ups are part of the same care process

Eye drops should be used in the correct eye, as often and for as long as prescribed. Treatment changes depend on the diagnosis and how the condition evolves.

Hand hygiene

Wash and dry your hands before using eye drops, and avoid touching the dropper tip to your eyelids, eyelashes or eye surface.

Prescribed dose

Use the prescribed number of drops. More drops do not make the medicine more effective and may lead to additional wastage.

Using several eye drop medicines

If you need different eye drops at the same time, leave approximately five minutes between medicines to avoid washing out the first drop. ^[3]

if you miss a dose, follow the medicine's specific instructions or your doctor's advice; do not automatically double the next dose;
record and report any new reaction after starting treatment, particularly pain, eyelid swelling, a rash or breathing difficulties;
keep your medical letters, investigation results and treatment schedule for subsequent visits;
do not postpone recommended follow-up appointments after surgery or for a condition that needs monitoring.

Questions to clarify before leaving your consultation

What is the diagnosis? Which tests were performed and what did they show? What treatment should I use and for how long? When is my next review? Which symptoms require prompt contact with the clinic?

Eye emergencies

Symptoms requiring prompt assessment

Some symptoms may indicate conditions in which a delay in diagnosis could affect your sight. Do not wait until your next routine appointment if symptoms are sudden or severe.

Sudden reduction in vision

Sudden loss or rapid deterioration of vision in one or both eyes requires urgent ophthalmic assessment. ^[4]

Flashes, floaters, a shadow or curtain

Sudden flashes or an increase in floaters, especially with a shadow in the visual field, can indicate a retinal tear or detachment. ^[5]

Severe eye pain, redness and reduced vision

Significant eye pain, marked redness, light sensitivity or impaired vision may occur in conditions requiring urgent examination.

Eye injury

Blunt trauma, foreign bodies, penetrating injuries or any injury associated with reduced vision, pain or a change in the eye's shape require medical assessment.

Chemical exposure to the eye

Immediately rinse thoroughly with clean water or sterile saline and continue irrigation while medical care is arranged. Do not wait to identify the chemical before starting rinsing, and do not try to neutralise it with another substance. ^[6]

After eye surgery

Sudden visual loss, severe or increasing pain, marked redness, discharge, intense light sensitivity or a new shadow or curtain require prompt contact with your medical team.

What to do in an emergency

If symptoms are severe, progress rapidly or you cannot reach the clinic promptly, seek assessment from an emergency medical service. Do not drive if your vision is affected.

Medical sources6 references

Moorfields Eye Hospital. The day of your appointment.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Dilating drops.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye Drops: instructions for use.
NHS. Vision loss.
NHS. Floaters and flashes in the eyes.
American Academy of Ophthalmology, EyeWiki. Chemical injury of the conjunctiva and cornea.

Before your consultation

Axa Optic reception

To confirm required documents, preparation for examinations or contact lens instructions, contact reception before your appointment.

Request an appointment 0235 435 674