Vision Correction

Vision correction is the process of improving eyesight by correcting refractive errors — issues with how light focuses inside the eye. This can help you see more clearly for daily tasks such as reading, driving, screen use and sport.

At the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we provide consultant-led eye assessments to determine the cause of blurred vision and recommend the most appropriate vision correction options for you.

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Types of Vision Correction

Vision correction can be provided through non-surgical and (where appropriate) surgical approaches. Your consultant will advise on the safest and most effective pathway based on your prescription, eye health and lifestyle needs.

Glasses

Glasses remain the most common form of vision correction and can address:

• Short-sightedness (myopia)
• Long-sightedness (hyperopia)
• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia (age-related reading difficulty)

Contact lenses

Contact lenses sit on the surface of the eye and can offer excellent vision, particularly for sport or active lifestyles. Options may include:

• Soft contact lenses
• Rigid gas permeable lenses
• Toric lenses (for astigmatism)
• Multifocal lenses (for presbyopia)
• Specialist lenses (for irregular corneas, such as keratoconus)

Refractive surgery and lens-based procedures

Some patients may be suitable for procedures designed to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Suitability depends on prescription stability, corneal measurements, tear film, and overall eye health.

Your consultant can discuss whether you may be a candidate for:

• Laser vision correction procedures (where appropriate)
• Lens-based correction options for certain prescriptions or age groups

Not everyone is suitable for surgical correction, and a thorough assessment is essential before any recommendation is made.

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Common Reasons People Seek Vision Correction

Patients commonly explore vision correction to:

• Improve clarity for driving or work
• Reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses
• Support sport and active lifestyles
• Address worsening near vision with age (presbyopia)
• Manage fluctuating vision caused by dryness or eyelid inflammation

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Symptoms That May Indicate You Need Vision Correction

You may benefit from an eye assessment if you experience:

• Blurred vision at distance or near
• Headaches or eye strain, particularly after screen use or reading
• Squinting to see clearly
• Difficulty driving at night, glare or haloes
• Frequent prescription changes
• Tired, dry or irritated eyes affecting clarity

Some symptoms can also be caused by dry eye, cataracts or other eye conditions, so assessment is important.

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Diagnosis at Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

A consultant-led assessment may include:

• Symptom review and medical/vision history
• Visual acuity testing (how clearly you can see)
• Refraction (measuring your glasses/contact lens prescription)
• Eye pressure measurement where indicated
• Slit-lamp examination to check eyelids, tear film, cornea and lens
• Dilated examination of the retina where clinically appropriate
• Additional tests if needed (e.g., corneal topography for irregular corneas)

This helps confirm whether symptoms are purely refractive or related to an underlying eye condition.

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Treatment & Management

Your treatment plan will depend on the cause of your symptoms and your goals.

Options may include:

• Updating your glasses prescription
• Contact lens fitting and lens type optimisation
• Managing dry eye or blepharitis if tear film instability is affecting vision
• Monitoring and referral for further treatment if cataracts or corneal conditions are contributing
• Discussion of suitability for refractive or lens-based procedures where appropriate

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If you are experiencing blurred vision, eye strain, or want to explore your vision correction options, contact Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital to book an eye assessment. There is no need to be registered with the hospital, or live locally.

If you have insurance which covers consultations, we can in most cases invoice the insurer directly. Where you are paying directly, any costs will always be discussed.