Opticians

Looking after your eyes

It's easy to neglect your eyes because they often do not hurt when there's a problem.

Regular eye checks are important for everyone, as some serious eye conditions do not have any visible early warning symptoms.

Having an eye test will not just tell you if you need new glasses or a change of prescription – it's also an important eye health check.

An optician can spot many general health problems and early signs of eye conditions before you're aware of any symptoms, many of which can be treated if found early enough.

It’s especially important to have a regular check-up with an optometrist if there is a history of eye problems in your family.

How can my Optician help me

Primary Eye Examination (Sight test)

A primary eye examination carried out by an optometrist or ophthalmic medical practitioner will consist of all appropriate tests or procedures relevant to the presenting signs, symptoms and your needs for the purpose of that examination (including the tests and procedures of an eye health assessment)

The purpose for this is to detect eye problems before they become a problem or cause vision issues.

A primary eye examination can only be provided by an ophthalmic medical practitioner or ophthalmic optician (Optometrist) and a list of Isle of Man Opticians can be found below. Sight tests are provided free to all patients, usually on a bi-annual basis which is in line with best clinical practice as advised by the Association of Optometrists and reflects the recall periods for the National Health Services in England. Sight test intervals are dependent on the age of the patient and whether the patient suffers from certain medical conditions.

*More details can be found on the FAQ’s under the downloadable documents section of this webpage.

Supplementary & Enhanced Supplementary Eye Examination

Historically opticians have been able to provide NHS sight tests and supply glasses, and all other conditions that a person may need to be seen by an optician for would usually be via referral to the hospital service or offered privately. This has also meant that patients attend other services for help such as their GP or the Emergency Department. It is recognised that for any problem with a person’s eyes or sight, the best and most convenient help would be, in the first instance, from an Optician.

Your optician can now see you for a supplementary eye examination – extra services available to you from 1st June 2025. Your optician will be able to see you for a wide range of reasons including:

Cycloplegic Refractions
Paediatric Reviews
Follow-up / repeat procedures (in some cases patients will see their follow-up appointments continue in the community rather than in the hospital setting, where appropriate)
Glaucoma Reviews and ocular hypertension
Anterior eye conditions
Unscheduled appointments/urgent care (including gradual loss of vision, suddent onset of blurred vision, eye pain, flashes/floaters and eye infections)
Post-operative cataract examinations and cataract referral advice and counselling

Help towards the cost of your glasses

Whilst the supply and repair of glasses is essentially a private arrangement between he patient and the optician, in certain circumstances NHS vouchers are made available by Manx Care, Primary Care Services to help towards the cost. These vouchers are available for children and other specified groups below:

Under 16
In receipt of Income Support / Income Support for Pensioners
A War Pensioner
Registered Blind
On a low income (this will need to be assess via a F1. Form) this can be found in downloadable documents

Your optician will be able to provide additional information in relation to the amount off assistance you will receive as this is dependent on your prescription.

The office opening hours for Primary Care Services are 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Optician Services

Douglas and district

How to Make a Compliment or Complaint

If you wish to make a comment about an Optical Practice or to compliment their services, you can do this by either telling the practice direct or by contacting Primary Care Services (contact details above).

If you are dissatisfied about the services provided to you by your Optician Practice you can either contact the Practice directly or the Primary Care Optical Service Team, who will pass on your complaint to the relevant Optician Practice. To make a formal complaint, this must be in writing either by letter or email. For more information on making a complaint.

Sight Matters – What Support Can they Offer

For blind and visually impaired people, the world can be a challenging place to navigate. Sight Matters help blind and visually impaired people to live their best possible lives.

Sight Matters is the trading arm of the Manx Blind Welfare Society, a charity which provides support to the blind and visually impaired community on the Isle of Man. Whether that’s by supporting their independence so that they can achieve their goals, providing social inclusion and emotional support services, equipping them with life changing equipment and resources, providing access to otherwise inaccessible information and media and by advocating for individuals and on behalf of the community.

Sight Matters also provide visual impairment awareness training and accessibility consulting for businesses, community groups and statutory and other third-sector organisations, so that the island can become an inclusive and accessible place for all and allow everyone to enjoy fulfilling, valued lives.

The services Sight Matters deliver are free at the point of delivery, people are not excluded or included from accessing what they require based upon their financial status and are available to those who have a sight impairment, there is no requirement to be registered as blind or visually impaired.

Referrals are simple to make – an individual can contact Sight Matters directly or, friends, family or professionals can make a referral as long as they have consent by calling +44 1624 674727 or email enquiries@sightmatters.im

For more information see the Sight Matters leaflet.

A large Print version is available.

Friends and Family Survey

Every time you visit your practice you are invited to take part in a short online survey. This is an anonymous survey and you are free to leave your comments about the practice in the space provided. The survey results are checked regularly and will be discussed with the practice accordingly.