We have answered the questions our patients ask most often. Can't find what you are looking for? Contact us or book an appointment and we will be happy to help.
We recommend a full eye exam every two years for healthy adults with no known eye conditions. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, are over 40, have diabetes or high blood pressure, or have a family history of glaucoma, annual exams are advisable. Children should be seen every year as their vision can change quickly during growth.
Your examination at Bella Eyecare Clinic includes a review of your health and medication history, visual acuity testing, refraction to determine your prescription, eye pressure measurement, anterior and posterior segment examination, colour vision screening, and a clear discussion of findings. A full exam typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Not at all. A standard eye exam is completely painless. The air-puff test used to measure eye pressure may feel slightly surprising but causes no discomfort. If dilating drops are used to examine the back of your eye, you may notice mild light sensitivity for a few hours after your visit.
We recommend a child's first eye exam between ages 3 and 4, ideally before starting school. Conditions like lazy eye, squint, and refractive errors are much easier to treat when caught early. Children often do not realise their vision is poor, so do not wait for them to complain before booking an exam.
Yes. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels at the back of the eye — a condition called diabetic retinopathy — which can cause sight loss if left undetected. We recommend that all diabetic patients have a dilated eye exam every year. Our specialists are trained to identify early signs of diabetic eye disease.
Yes. Glaucoma screening is included in every comprehensive eye exam at Bella. We measure intraocular pressure, assess the optic nerve, and evaluate peripheral vision. Because glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages, regular screening is the only reliable way to detect it before vision is lost.
No referral is needed. You can book directly online, call us, or walk in. We also accept referrals from general practitioners and other specialists, and we provide detailed clinical reports back to your doctor when required.
Please bring your current glasses or contact lenses, a list of any medications you take including eye drops, your HMO card if applicable, and any previous prescriptions or eye health reports. Arriving a few minutes early to complete a short health questionnaire is also helpful.
Standard single vision lenses are usually ready within 3 to 5 working days. Varifocal, high-index, and specialist lenses may take 5 to 10 working days depending on the prescription and lens type. We will give you an estimated collection date when you place your order and notify you as soon as your glasses are ready.
We offer single vision, bifocal, varifocal, office lenses, photochromic (transition), polarised, blue light filtering, and high-index thin lenses for strong prescriptions. Our optical team will recommend the best lens type for your prescription, lifestyle, and daily visual demands.
In many cases, yes. If your frames are in good condition and compatible with the new lenses required, we can reglaze them for you. Bring your frames in and we will assess their suitability. Very strong prescriptions may require a specific frame size or shape for the best optical result.
We carry a carefully selected range of premium and affordable eyewear brands to suit every taste and budget. Visit our optical floor or ask our dispensing team to show you our full collection. We are confident you will find a frame you love.
Yes. We offer frame adjustments, nose pad replacements, screw replacements, and minor repairs — usually while you wait and at no charge for glasses purchased from us. A small service fee may apply for frames purchased elsewhere.
A short adaptation period of 1 to 2 weeks is completely normal for first-time varifocal wearers. If after two weeks you are still experiencing distortion, headaches, or difficulty reading, come back and see us. We will reassess the fit, prescription, and lens design until it is right for you.
Most people with a refractive error — including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia — can wear contact lenses. Suitability depends on your prescription, corneal shape, and lifestyle. We offer a dedicated contact lens fitting consultation at Bella to assess this properly and find the right lens for you.
A contact lens fitting is a separate appointment where we measure your corneal curvature, assess your tear film, select a trial lens, and teach you how to insert and remove lenses safely. A follow-up is scheduled to confirm fit and comfort. Note that a contact lens prescription differs from a spectacle prescription and must be issued separately.
Most contact lenses should not be worn for more than 10 to 12 hours per day. Your cornea relies on oxygen from the air, so prolonged wear can cause dryness, irritation, and in serious cases, infection. Never sleep in lenses unless your optometrist has specifically approved them for overnight wear.
No. Always remove contact lenses before swimming, showering, or using a hot tub. Water — including tap, pool, and sea water — can carry micro-organisms that cause serious eye infections when lenses are worn. If your lenses come into contact with water, remove and discard them immediately.
Remove your lenses immediately and do not reinsert them. If the redness is mild and settles within 30 minutes, it may be simple irritation. If redness persists or is accompanied by pain, discharge, or blurred vision, contact us or seek urgent eye care straight away — these can be signs of infection requiring prompt treatment.
No. Contact lenses are medical devices and require a valid prescription from a registered optometrist. Wearing lenses without a proper fitting puts your eyes at serious risk. At Bella, we supply all major contact lens brands to patients with a current and valid contact lens prescription.
Myopia (short-sightedness) means near objects are clear but distant ones appear blurred. Hyperopia (long-sightedness) means distant objects may be clearer while near objects like text are harder to focus on. Both are common refractive errors that are easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses following a standard eye examination.
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances. It is very common and is easily corrected with toric spectacle or contact lenses. Most people with astigmatism also have some degree of myopia or hyperopia.
The most common form of glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages. Vision loss begins at the periphery and advances slowly, making it easy to miss until significant damage has occurred. Regular eye exams with glaucoma screening are essential — especially if you have a family history of the condition.
Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms include burning, grittiness, intermittent blurred vision, and excessive watering. Treatment depends on the cause and severity, and may include lubricating drops, lifestyle changes, or in-clinic procedures. We offer a dedicated dry eye assessment at Bella Eyecare Clinic.
Most floaters are harmless and caused by tiny clumps in the vitreous gel of the eye. However, a sudden increase in floaters, new flashes of light, or a shadow across your vision are warning signs of a possible retinal tear or detachment — a medical emergency. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek urgent eye care immediately.
Prolonged screen use does not permanently damage your eyes, but it can cause digital eye strain — tired eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and dryness. We recommend the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Blue light filtering lenses can also help reduce strain for heavy screen users.
Yes. Bella Eyecare Clinic is registered with several major HMOs in Nigeria. Please bring your valid HMO card to your appointment. If you are unsure whether your plan covers eye care, contact your HMO directly or call us and we will help you verify your coverage.
We are located in Abuja, Nigeria. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, and Public Holidays 9am to 3pm. We are closed on Sundays. Pre-booked appointments outside these hours can be arranged on request.
You can book online via our appointment page, call us on the number in the header, or visit us in person. We recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred date and time, especially for comprehensive eye examinations which require a longer appointment slot.
A comprehensive eye exam takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you are also choosing frames and ordering glasses on the same visit, allow an extra 20 to 30 minutes for the dispensing consultation. Contact lens fitting appointments are typically 45 to 60 minutes including the trial fitting and instruction session.
Absolutely. We welcome patients of all ages including young children. Our team is experienced in examining children and making the process calm, comfortable, and engaging. A parent or guardian should be present for children under 16 throughout the examination.
We kindly ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule, so we can offer your slot to another patient. To cancel or rearrange, please call us or send a message via our contact page.