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Eye tests and the opticians

Book an eye test, get glasses and sort out eye problems.

Hi, I need to book an eye test, please.

Computer voice · not a real clip

All 14 phrases

Booking a test4

  1. I need to book an eye testIn the UK it's an 'eye test' or 'sight test', done at the opticians on the high street.
  2. I'm going to the opticiansThe shop where an optometrist tests your eyes and sells glasses: Specsavers, Boots Opticians, Vision Express and independents.
  3. Am I entitled to a free NHS eye test?Free for groups like under-16s, 16-18s in full-time education, over-60s, people with diabetes or glaucoma and some benefit claimants.
  4. I'm due an eye test. It's been two yearsMost adults are recalled every two years; some groups more often.

In the test room3

  1. Read the lowest line you canThe letter-chart instruction.
  2. Is it better with one... or two?The lens-comparison question everyone panics over.
  3. You'll feel a little puff of airThe eye-pressure test that makes everyone flinch.

Glasses and prescriptions5

  1. I'm a bit short-sightedYou can't see far away clearly.
  2. I'm long-sighted, so I need reading glassesYou can't see close up clearly.
  3. I need new glasses. My prescription's changed'Prescription' also means your glasses or lens measurements.
  4. Can I have a copy of my prescription?You're entitled to it after a sight test and can buy glasses anywhere, including online.
  5. Do I get a voucher towards glasses?An NHS optical voucher helps some groups (e.g.

Problems and jokes2

  1. I've got something in my eye and it won't come outMany areas have an NHS minor eye conditions service at local opticians, so try them before A&E for non-emergencies.
  2. Should've gone to SpecsaversThe ad slogan Brits shout when someone makes an obvious mistake, like missing an open goal or misreading a sign.
Check yourself14 questions

Question 1 of 14

Where do you usually get an eye test?

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1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days later
Moments
0 of 14 phrases have a clip
Sources
Picked by Talk, CC BY-SA 4.0
Phrases
Picked by Talk.
How Talk picked them
Part of Talk's themed British life packs. Talk wrote each phrase with what it really means, when to say it, what not to say instead and one quiz question. A phrase gets a moment only if Talk's spoken videos say it with the same meaning. One review picked each moment, and a second tried to reject it. This pack holds 14 phrases.
Licence
Talk shares this list under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Meanings and examples
Written by Talk in plain English.
Dictionary details
From Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Princeton WordNet, used under the WordNet licence. WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

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