NHS Sight Tests - Querido & Davidson

Opticians Newcastle Basic 20 Minute NHS Sight Test

About NHS Sight Tests

GOS sight test funding only covers the detection of "signs of eye disease". Further investigation, and refinement of a referral, using any advanced equipment, is not funded by the GOS sight test fee.

A private eye examination provides a better standard of investigation, with more sophisticated instrumentation, & a much longer consultation time of between 40 & 60 minutes. All NHS patients are given the option to pay to upgrade their NHS sight test fee to cover the shortfall in funding, and opt for the longer, full eye examination.

For those NHS patients that opt to have only a basic 20 minute NHS sight test...
....on detection of any eye disease, those patients then have 3 management choices:
  • Pay privately for further refinement & investigation, looking into the severity, and possible prognosis of the disease
  • Decline further investigation, and ask to be referred to the local hospital eye department via their GP
  • Have further investigation, as funded by local primary care funding schemes (such as the North Tyneside diabetic eye screening service)
If you are entitled to an NHS funded "sight test", we offer a very basic 20 minute appointment fully funded by the NHS. (We recommend that all patients upgrade and have a full 60 minute eye examination at least every 2 years). This is a check of your current prescription, and VERY BASIC screening for eye disease.

A basic 20 minute NHS sight test is short, and cursory, and not recommended for adults over 40 years, who are more susceptible to eye disease.

About Full Eye Examinations

At Querido & Davidson, we provide additional procedures to private eye examination patients, as they pay almost double the amount paid by the NHS for a basic sight test. The duration of this examination is much longer (up to 60 minutes), and the equipment used is also more advanced. Until the funding issues are resolved, we are unable to offer equal service in return for inadequte NHS remuneration. NHS patients are invited to upgrade to a full eye examination, if they prefer, and pay the supplementary fee to match the private eye examination fee.

The additional procedures we provide during a full eye examination are to aid in the detection of early signs of eye disease, peripheral retinal abnormalities, and visual performance changes. A summary of additional these procedures is as follows:
  • Pupil dilation
  • Digital slit lamp examination with image capture of the anterior & posterior eye
  • Binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy
  • Retinal Photography
  • Automated visual field screening where appropriate
  • Contrast Sensitivity measurement where appropriate
  • Goldmann tonometry where appropriate
  • Sphygmomanometry where necessary
  • Gonioscopy where necessary
  • Tearscope assessment where necessary
  • Colour Vision Screening where necessary
Our Eye Examinations

Examinations provided by Fully Qualified Optometrists.

Full private eye examinations last between 40 & 60 minutes per appointment, & also available to NHS patients for a small supplement. You will be at the practice for approximately 60 minutes in total.
  • High Tech equipment is used to provide an indepth high standard of examination
  • Fully guaranteed prescriptions issued
  • Advice given on best product required, to suit all budgets
  • Fully experienced in examining all age groups, from children to senior citizens
  • Highly trained back up staff provide a smooth appointment, and help and support as required
  • We accept all major credit & debit cards, as well as cash & cheques for payment

Do you need to book an eye exam?