Blog post
The Equipment We Bring to Your Home Eye Test
Matthew Burford BSc(Hons) Optometry MCOptom - Domiciliary Optician and Professional Services Manager at OutsideClinic
3/4 minutes reading time
A home eye test should feel as thorough and professional as visiting the high street - and that all starts with the equipment your optometrist brings. Every tool we use during a home visit is chosen to deliver a high level of clinical care you would expect in a practice, simply in a portable format that can be set up comfortably in your own home.
In this simple guide, we explain the key pieces of equipment you may see during your appointment, and how each one helps us look after your eyesight.
Portable Test Chart (LogMAR and Snellen)
This is the home-visit version of the classic letter chart used in opticians. It's remote-controlled and can display letters, pictures and many other typoscopes to ensure accuracy even if a patient may struggle with identifying letters.
Your optometrist uses this chart to measure how clearly you can see at distance, ensuring your vision is checked accurately even in smaller rooms.
Retinoscope and Ophthalmoscope
These handheld instruments allow your optometrist to:
- Assess your prescription - very useful if a patient is non-verbal, or as great starting point in refraction.
- Examine the internal and external structures of your eyes.
- Check key areas such as the macula (the back of the eye).
They play an essential role in identifying changes in your vision or early signs of eye conditions.
Trial Frames and Trial Lens Set
Your optometrist brings a complete set of trial lenses and adjustable frames. These are used to fine-tune you prescription by showing you different lens strengths until the clearest option is found.
It's a familiar part of the eye-testing process - simply brought to you.
Tonometer (including iCare models)
Eye pressure is an important part of checking for conditions such as glaucoma. A tonometer allows your optometrist to measure this comfortably and accurately during your home visit.
Being able to carry out this test at home offers peace of mind and ensures nothing is missed.
Tablet and Portable Printer
Your optometrist carries a tablet and printer so that any paperwork - including prescriptions, reports or recommendations - can be completed and printed during the visit. Everything is handled in your home, just as it would in a practice.
A Complete High-Quality Eye Test Brought to You
Every piece of equipment is carefully chosen to ensure your home eye test is comfortable, thorough and clinically sound. Whether you are checking your prescription, monitoring an eye condition or simply keeping on top of your eye health, you can feel confident that you're receiving a complete, high-quality eye examination.
See Everything We Bring With Us
Want to look inside the full kit bag?
You can watch our short equipment video below:
