When it comes to your health, your eyes deserve the same level of attention as the rest of your body, if not more. Yet, many people put off getting regular eye tests until they notice a problem.
An estimated 1 million people in the UK are living with sight loss that could have been prevented. The problem isn’t just missing your annual check-up; it’s assuming that a basic vision test is enough.
At Safarian and Simon, we believe in staying ahead of potential issues. That’s where advanced eye tests and comprehensive screenings come in. These state-of-the-art diagnostic tools do far more than check if you need glasses. They uncover silent, sight-stealing conditions early, before symptoms ever show up.
Here’s why investing in advanced eye tests is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your long-term eye health.
What is an advanced eye test?
A standard eye test tells you how well you see. It may spot refractive errors like myopia or astigmatism and flag up some problems with your eye health. But an advanced eye test goes much further.
At Safarian and Simon, our advanced screenings include:
- Optomap True colour Retinal Imaging.
- Heidelberg OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Scans
- Anterior OCT scans
- Intraocular Pressure Testing with Icare
- Corneal Topography
- Digital Slit Lamp imaging
These tools allow our eye specialists and optometrists in London to detect early warning signs of serious eye diseases. Early diagnosis means early treatment, and a far better chance of preserving your vision.
The benefits of retinal imaging
Retinal imaging is a high-resolution snapshot of the back of your eye. It captures detailed pictures of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels, which are structures crucial to your sight.
This test is especially valuable for detecting:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: A diabetes-related condition where high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina. It progresses quietly, often without symptoms until irreversible damage has occurred.
- Hypertensive Retinopathy: High blood pressure can alter blood vessels in your eyes, leading to swelling, bleeding, and vision loss.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Changes in the central retina (macula) can affect your ability to read, recognize faces, or drive.
- Retinal tear/detachment. These are in the far regions of the retina. It was thought only those with symptoms will have a retinal tear, but we have detected many without symptoms and saved sight.
Retinal images can be stored and compared over time, so even the smallest changes are tracked.
Our retinal imaging shows the larges field of view without dilation. We use the latest Optomap California with true colour. The older version uses a pseudo-colour (fake colour) which can miss small details.
The benefits of OCT scans
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools available. It uses light waves to create cross-sectional images of the retina, much like an MRI does for internal organs.
OCT allows us to:
- Catch Glaucoma Early: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and can cause permanent vision loss. OCT detects thinning of the nerve fibre layers before functional vision loss occurs.
- Monitor Macular Health: Early signs of AMD, macular holes, or macular edema are easy to miss without OCT.
- Assess Diabetic Retinopathy Progression: Fluid leakage, retinal swelling, and microscopic changes can all be visualised clearly.
Because these diseases often progress without pain or noticeable symptoms, OCT can be life-changing and be the difference between saving and losing vision.
Our OCT is the gold standard-Heidelberg. It’s the only OCT NASA use given is high reproducibility of over time. This OCT allows us to look for patterns better than other OCT
Learn more: Understanding Glaucoma and Its Treatments
The benefits of Anterior OCT
Here we can detect:
- Corneal thickness. This plays a large part in eye pressure, many patients are referred unnecessary to the hospital for high pressure, but it is because they have thick cornea which gives a false reading!
- Anterior segment angles and depth. A hidden closed angle glaucoma clue. This is the very aggressive type of glaucoma where the eyes become smaller over time. We can measure the size of the drainage angle and assess if preventive treatment is required
- Wavefront refraction. Many times, patients are unsure if the prescription will be accurate as they find answering our questions on clarity is difficult! Here the scan will calculate the best prescription, so when we manually check the vision, we are just refining giving the best vision-first time!
Eye pressure
We do not use the ‘puff of air test’ -this is what all opticians use as it a cheap device with poor accuracy a false result, let alone-not comfortable.
We use the Icare tonometer, a non-invasive probe without sensation to gain an accurate pressure reading-once again, not given fake high eye pressure reading!
Corneal Topography
If you have astigmatism, you really need to know if is normal or abnormal. There are many who suffer with Keratoconus. This is a disease of the cornea and treatment needs early intervention to stabilise the condition.
Digital Slit Lamp Imaging
All opticians should use a high powered magnify to assess the front and back of your eyes- ours allow us to capture images to help educate you on your eyes. A must for all dry eye patients.
Our Zeiss slit lamp has in-built high mega pixel camera. Those who offer images often will retro fit an Iphone to catch up with us, but it is not the same!
Why basic eye tests aren’t enough
A quick eye test might check your vision and confirm your prescription, but it won’t detect disease below the surface. That’s like evaluating your heart health by checking your pulse only!
Advanced eye screenings give you the full picture. They can:
- Detect diseases before you notice symptoms
- Create a long-term digital health record of your eyes
- Help tailor preventative care for your specific risks
- Avoid avoidable vision loss through early intervention
Many conditions we screen for (glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease) can’t be cured once damage has occurred. But they can be slowed or managed with the right care plan, if caught early.
Why advanced eye tests are ideal for high-risk groups
Certain individuals benefit even more from comprehensive eye exams. You should book an advanced eye test if you:
- Have diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have a family history of glaucoma or AMD
- Are over 60
- Experience frequent vision changes
- Take medications with known ocular side effects
- Are of African, Caribbean, or South Asian descent (at higher risk for glaucoma and diabetes)
Even if you fall outside these groups, a thorough screening offers peace of mind.
Learn more: The Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Eye Health
Do all opticians offer advanced test?
Yes! Some offer ultimate, advanced, elite- you name it, there is a word around it. But we offer more and have been doing it for years!
All other tests are undertaken by optometrist only, other opticians will undertake a pre-screen, this is a lay person taking your images -then passing onto the optometrist.
This can :
- Create errors
- Lack of continuity
- Image quality issue
- They are not trained to understand images
- Unnecessary waiting times
- Cost cutting, they are just pushing you through one after another.
Why choose Safarian and Simon Opticians in London?
As a trusted optometrist in London, Safarian and Simon offers precision diagnostics, clinical expertise, and personalised care in every consultation. We don’t believe in shortcuts. Our eye specialists use the latest diagnostic technologies to give you the clearest insight into your eye health, because early answers lead to better outcomes.
As a Multi-Award wining opticians and technology opticians for two years running, this is why our eye examination are the best.
Every set of eyes is different, and so is every treatment plan. Whether you’re dealing with diabetes, suspecting a problem, or just proactive about your health, our comprehensive eye tests help protect the one sense you can’t afford to lose.
Book your advanced eye test at Safarian and Simon today and take a clear step toward lifelong vision health.
