Most people think of the optician as somewhere to buy their glasses or contact lenses from. And while that is true, most people also seem to forget that eye testing is as much about the health of the eyes as it is about correcting vision.
The importance of regular eye tests cannot be stressed enough, although regular may have different meanings depending on the patient.
Vision quality is one of the fastest deteriorating functions of the human body, either due to age or disease. Regular eye exams are the best way to catch eye disorders which if left untreated, may lead to vision problems and even blindness. Regular eye exams should be conducted at least once every two years in order to keep a constant watch for these disorders. Many of these disorders can be cured, or at least treated so that they have minimal effect when they are diagnosed early, which helps to prevent permanent impairment or even blindness. Unfortunately, many eye disorders have no noticeable symptoms early on, and many people who do not receive regular eye checkups live with these disorders for years. While these symptoms may remain undetected by you, a simple check up performed by your optometrist can bring many of these disorders to light before they are able to cause real harm. In addition to detecting disease of the eye, these tests can also help detect other bodily ailments, such as diabetes. The optometrist will perform several tests in a complete eye test, which may include testing for colourblindness, peripheral vision tests, ocular pressure, visual inspection using sophisticated intruments and visual acuity.
Children should receive their first eye exam before they reach the age of six months. Continuing developmental checks should also be performed. Generally, good subjective results can be gained from three or four years old. The more comfortable the child is visiting the practice, the better the results, so its often a good idea for parents to bring in their children when they have an eye test. Children should have an annual eye exam. As they grow, ther potential for changes in vision is significant - especially during periods of rapid growth such as puberty.
In addition, adults who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other diseases need to be checked for vision impairment more frequently. A regular physician can advise patients with these diseases as to how often their eye tests should be performed. Once over the age of 40, adults should have their eyes checked at least every two years for early detection of age related diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration which if left untreated, can result in permanent blindness. Diabetic patients should be seen annually if their condition is stable, or more often if not. Patients with a family history of such conditions as glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration should also have an annual eye test.
Contact lens check ups must be performed annually ... contact lenses cannot be dispensed without a prescription that is less than a year old. This is a legal issue, not a matter of preference. Although your contact lenses may feel fine, there are some conditions that do not give you symptoms, but can be unwanted, such as new blood vessel formation from lack of oxygen to the eye.
At Major Opticians, we are pleased to offer normal sight testing and contact lens checks, vision screening for VDU's both personal and corporate, colour vision assessment (with Chromagen if required), visual field examinations, MacuScope and SightRisk assessments and driving reports for licensing purposes.
Not only does a visit to your optician allow your health and vision to be assessed, it is also an ideal way to find out about the latest advances in lenses, frames and contact lenses. Contact us now to arrange your appointment. We are registered for the medical card and PRSI schemes.
