Eye Health
The eye is a highly complex organ of the body. Eyes are actively working from the moment you open them in the morning up until you close them at night, relaying hundreds of thousands of messages to the brain throughout the day.
It is easy to neglect your eyes because they rarely hurt when there is a problem. Having an eye test won’t only tell you if you need new glasses or a change of prescription, it is also an important eye health check. An eye test can spot many general health problems and early signs of eye conditions before there are any symptoms, many of which can be treated if found early enough.
Some sight-threatening conditions such as glaucoma have no symptoms and could cause some sight loss before a difference is noticed. Around 50 per cent of sight loss is preventable if detected early enough.
Urgent Eye Problems
If you have an eye problem that needs urgent attention, contact your local optometrist (optician) directly. Optometrists are qualified healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat eye health problems. Most optometry practices in Wales offer NHS eye health services. You can go to your usual practice or contact any high street optometrist offering NHS services.
If you have urgent eye problems out of hours, contact NHS 111 Wales.
NHS treatment for eye health problems is free. Examples of urgent eye problems include:
- sudden blurred or cloudy vision
- reduced vision
- flashing lights
- floaters or black dots in vision
- gritty or itchy eyes
- bloodshot, sore, or red eye
- headaches
- swollen or puffy eyelid
- scratched eye
- eye twitching
Regular eye tests and prevention
Regular eye tests catch problems early, protecting your sight and identifying serious conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. You should have an eye test every 2 years, or more often if advised by a health professional.
Free NHS eye tests
Many people in Wales are eligible for free NHS eye tests including children up to the age of 16 and young people under the age of 19 in full-time education.
NHS Wales also provides free glasses for children if needed.
Get help with NHS eye care costs
Useful Information