Blurry vision
Blurry vision can be a symptom of an underlying eye condition, or simply a sign that you need a new pair of glasses or an updated contact lens prescription.
Online eye test
How do online eye exams work?
There are a number of eye tests available online, however they aren’t always accurate tools for diagnosing any eye conditions or the cause for a change in your vision. While they can be useful for understanding some eye symptoms, online vision tests should never replace a visit to your optician. We’ve put together a number of symptoms you might be experiencing so you can test your vision against them before booking your eye test.
Test your eyesight with some examples below
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Double vision
Double vision (diplopia) can be caused by a range of conditions, from cataracts and muscle weakness around the eyes, to wider health conditions such as diabetes or neurological issues.
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Visual field test
A visual field test measures how much you can see out of the corners of your eyes. If you notice any blind spots or your visual field narrowing, this could be a sign of glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Floaters
Seeing black dots in your vision, also known as floaters, is very common. Floaters are tiny pieces of debris in the eye’s fluid, known as the vitreous humour, which can develop as we age.
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Halos around lights
Halos are usually noticed around streetlights at nighttime or in a dimly lit room. They can be a normal response to bright lights, or a sign of common eye conditions like astigmatism, cataracts or glaucoma.
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Cloudy vision
The most common cause of ‘milky’ or cloudy vision is cataracts, although it can also be linked to changes in or damage to the cornea, infections or inflammations.
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Flashes of light
Flashes are bright spots in your field of vision. They can develop for a few reasons, most commonly as a result of ageing which can cause a condition called posterior vitreous detachment.
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Difficulty seeing distant objects
Trouble focusing on objects in the distance, for instance while driving or reading road signs, can be a common sign of myopia (short-sightedness).
Normal vision
Impaired vision
Trouble reading up-close
Difficulty focusing on objects up-close can be a sign of hyperopia (long-sightedness) or even presbyopia, a common vision condition that develops as you age.
Alongside the symptoms above, there are also a number of physical signs that you might need to book an eye test. This can include sudden eye pain, recurrent pain in or around the eye, changes in the colour of the iris or pupil, itching, burning, or any sudden changes in vision.
Download your free online eye test chart
Download your free Snellen eye chart used by Specsavers opticians in your typical eye test.
Do I still need an eye test with my optician?
Online eye tests should never replace in-person eye examinations with your optician. While they may be able to give you some indication of your eyesight between your regular eye tests, results are not accurate, and cannot detect the existence of an underlying eye condition or visual impairment.
Visiting your optician regularly is the only way to diagnose any changes to your vision or eye health. Opticians use a range of tests and equipment during an eye exam to check the overall health of your eyes thoroughly and advise the necessary treatments — whether that’s wearing glasses, contact lenses or referring you to a specialist. Your optician will also have an idea of your eye health history, so it’s always best to discuss any changes to your eyecare with them before making any decisions.
Discover more eyesight tests online
Snellen Test
Find out more about the Snellen letter charts and how opticians use them to assess your vision.
Ishihara Colourblind Test
Ishihara tests are used by opticians to test for colorblindness.
Your eye test explained
Discover more information on what happens in a typical Specsavers eye test.