VDU Eye Examination in Whitton, Twickenham
Are your eyes blurry, tired, or do they ache after extended periods behind a screen? That's your eyes struggling and not something you should take lightly. EyeSmile provides comprehensive DSE exams, funded by your employer, helping to find the cause.
Or call 020 8755 7900·Whitton, Twickenham
Your Employer's Legal Obligation
Employers are required to provide eye and eyesight tests to staff who regularly use display screen equipment, on request. This is part of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. In addition to his, your employer will need to contribute towards basic glasses, if they are recommended specifically for screen use.
Employer-funded
Under DSE Regulations 1992
Screen-distance refraction
Optimised for your monitor
Written employer report
Ready for HR records
Blue light discussion
Evidence-based advice
DSE Regulations at a Glance
Who qualifies?
You qualify when you spend more than one hour of your normal day in front of a screen.
Who pays?
Your employer is legally responsible for the cost of the test.
What if I need glasses?
Your employer will need to contribute towards your glasses, if they are prescribed specifically for DSE use.
Remote workers?
The DSE regulations don't only apply to workplace, it also applies to home offices.
How often?
A VDU eye exam is recommended every two years or when symptoms present themselves, on request.
Better Vision at Work, Legally Covered
Legal Compliance
Employees are legally required to provide eye tests to eligible DSE employees as part of the Health and Safety Regulations. These comprehensive assessments ensure your employer maintains compliance, while protecting you as an employee.
Reduced Eye Strain
Screen specific prescriptions are different from reading or driving prescriptions. They take the distance between your eyes and the monitor into consideration, ensuring your comfort is improved.
Headache Relief
The majority of screen-related headaches are caused by vision problems and you only notice them when working at distances. Our VDU exam helps to identify these problems, correcting them effectively.
Productivity Improvement
Visual fatigue can increase workplace absenteeism, while reducing productivity. When employees are comfortable, seeing their screens clearly, they are more efficient and productive.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
DSE Questionnaire
Before your VDU eye exam, EyeSmile will send you a short questionnaire that asks about your workstation set-up, screen distance, how many hours you work in front of the screen, along with any symptoms you are experiencing, and existing glasses or contacts you use.
Standard Eye Examination
Your EyeSmile optometrist then carries out a comprehensive eye examination, covering your prescription from all distances, identifying how your eyes work together, colour vision, along with a pressure check.
Screen-Distance Refraction
The prescription you are provided is designed for the distance between your eyes and your monitor, ensuring the best comfort, along with clear vision when working on a screen.
Employer Report
Your employer will be provided with a written report, prepared by your EyeSmile optometrist. This confirms if you need glasses for screen time, along with any relevant occupational recommendations to improve your comfort and vision.
You May Already Be Entitled
- Do you spend a lot of time during your normal day behind a screen?
- Do you work in an office or at home, where you spend more than an hour in front of the computer?
- Are you a remote worker? DSE regulations apply to home offices as well.
- Are you experiencing headaches, blurred vision, or eye strain after sitting in front of the screen?
- Has your employer not arrange your DSE assessment yet?
- Is your screen prescription more than two years old?
Not Sure If You Qualify?
If your job requires you to work in front of a computer, tablet, or screen for more than an hour a day, you will qualify for a VDU eye exam. We recommend you speak to your HR department or get in touch with the EyeSmile team to confirm if you are eligible.
Book Your VDU Eye TestFrequently Asked Questions
Cannot find what you are looking for? Our team answers every enquiry personally.
Does my employer have to pay for my VDU eye test?
Yes. Based on the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, your employer is legally required to offer and pay for eye and eyesight tests to employees that spend more than an hour in a normal day working on a screen. They also have to contribute to the cost of glasses, if they are specifically required for screen work.
What counts as a DSE user?
DSE users are those that spend a large portion of their normal working day using a display screen. This can be a laptop, computer, or tablet. Those that spend more than one hour a day on most working days qualify as DSE users, providing them with an employer-funded test to improve vision and comfort.
How is a VDU eye test different from a regular eye test?
VDU tests are very similar to regular eye tests, except them assess your screen distance vision with your workstation set-up. Your EyeSmile optometrist then produces a written report for your employer, along with discussing practical ways to reduce eye strain caused by digital screens.
Do I need blue light glasses?
Screen eye strain is mostly caused by an uncorrected vision issue, poor workstation set-up, along with reduced blinking. During your VDU exam, your optometrist addresses all of these, providing you with clear, evidence-based, and honest recommendations.
How often should I have a VDU eye examination?
It is recommended to have a VDU exam every two years. If you are experiencing headaches, blurred vision, or eye strain, we recommend booking sooner. Your employer is legally required to pay for the test on your request, if you are an eligible DSE users. Contact us now to find out more.
Ready to Book Your VDU Eye Examination?
Our Whitton, Twickenham optometrists are ready to help. Book online or call us to arrange your appointment.