EYE ADVICE Optometry Clinics

Why Have Regular Eye Examinations?

Whilst older children and adults usually become conscious of a possible vision problem, there are certain conditions which develop insidiously and can only be detected in their early stages when an eye examination is performed.

An example of this in the younger population is the onset of myopia. An eye examination will disclose if the eyes are on the brink of becoming slightly short-sighted. With proper advice and weak 'relaxing' glasses, this condition may be averted.

In the older population (over 50 years of age), probably the most important insidious condition is glaucoma. This sight-threatening condition is often caused by raised pressure in the eyes, and unfortunately does not usually give rise to any symptoms such as pain etc. It is only through regular eye examinations that glaucoma can be detected at its early stages, thus avoiding unnecessary blindness.

Needless to say, infants and toddlers are unlikely to complain of a vision problem. Provided there are no signs of eye problems requiring earlier attention, examinations should be performed firstly at the ages of six months of age to twelve months and again prior to commencing school.

Some general health conditions can be suspected by examining the eyes of young children. A common example is lack of iron. However, it is in the older population that we often detect systemic (general health) problems by examining, in particular, the retina at the back of the eye. For example, diabetes, high blood pressure and even high cholesterol levels can produce characteristic changes in the retina.

Whilst a general eye examination to reveal any eye or systemic disease in a healthy individual, as described above, is recommended on a 2-3 yearly basis, some people need to be reviewed on a more regular basis. People who have been told they have raised eye pressures or glaucoma, and people who have had diabetes for more than 3- 4 years and show signs of retinopathy (changes in the retina), should endeavour to have 6 monthly to yearly examinations, depending on the severity of their condition.

It must be remembered that these conditions can seriously affect vision. Many people, who have lost their sight due to one of these conditions, may well have been able to maintain their sight if only they had undergone regular eye examinations.

Even if you may not require glasses, or can still see well with your current ones, or are using ready-made glasses, you should still have regular eye examinations. All eye examinations at this clinic are bulk-billed; all that is required is to put aside some time.

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