Your Eye Examination At Súil Eile Optometrists, Youghal
Your eyes and their needs are individual to you; there is no one size fits all and that is why an eye examination at Suil Eile Optometrists, Youghal is tailored to each individual.
We place the emphasis on your eyecare and you can be assured of a professional eye exam in a relaxed consulting room using only the most up to date clinical equipment. A complete eye examination at Suil Eile optometrists will typically last 30 minutes. Our optometrist (sometimes more commonly called optician) will begin by asking some questions about your eyes, any problems you are having, and any symptoms you are concerned about. We will also ask you for some information about your medical history and any significant eye problems affecting your family. We may ask questions about your hobbies and leisure activities, your work environment and any other factors that appear to be relevant. It is important to answer these questions as honestly as possible as this enables our optometrist to tailor the eye examination to your needs.
What Happens During Your Eye Examination (Eye Test)
The eye examination routine typically begins by measuring your visual acuity; this evaluates how clearly your eyes see for both distance and near. Refraction is normally carried out after measurement of acuity; this is where the optometrist calculates the lens prescription to enable your eyes to see to their full potential. Refraction involves a number of steps and is tailored to the capabilities of the individual. Some refraction techniques require the patient to be verbal and others require no input from the patient, these methods are used for very young children or patients with learning difficulties or specific needs.
The following section of the eye examination is to evaluate the health of your visual system, these tests not only check the health of you eyeball but also the whole visual system which includes the visual pathway in the brain. The optometrist will look at your pupils to evaluate neuro function , she / he will examine the external eye structures of the eye including the eyelids, the cornea and conjunctiva.
Internal examination of the eye includes examination of the fluid at the front of the eye(aqueous humour) the iris, lens vitreous gel, retina and its blood vessels and the optic nerve. We may measure the pressure inside your eyes to detect glaucoma. At Súil Eile Optometrists, Youghal we have a Zeiss Humphrey Visual field analyser, this visual field screener is the gold standard in visual field testing. It is used in hospital eye departments to detect and monitor glaucoma as well as other neurological conditions. It is also suitable for driver vision testing for both Group 1 and Group 2 driver licenses. We also use a Zeiss digital retinal Camera to photograph the back of your eyes, this can help us detect subtle changes over time and comprehensively examine the health of your eyes.
The optician will always explain the results of the various assessments and you will be given every opportunity to ask any questions you may have. The recommendations given at the end of the eye examination by the optician will take into account factors such as your working environment, lifestyle and any leisure pursuits you have, so we can meet your visual needs in the best possible way.
How Often Should You Have Your Eyes Tested?
We advise regular eye examinations for everyone including children even when you are not experiencing any difficulties. In accordance with national guidelines the recommended intervals are set out in the table below:
National guidelines for eye tests
|
1: Aged 15 years or below |
every year |
|
2: Aged 16 – 69 years |
every 2 years |
|
3: Aged 70 years and over |
every year |
|
4: Diabetic and Glaucoma patients |
every year |
|
5: Aged 40 years or over with an immediate relative with Glaucoma |
every year |
The above are general guidelines but if it clinically required an eye examination may be advised more frequently, the optician will advise you of this.
