FAQ

Welcome to the FAQ, which will answer some of the most common eye care questions. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Q: Why is an Eye Examination so important?

A: Your eyes cannot be replaced. You will not necessarily have any symptoms or pain. An eye examination can pick up very early signs of any problems, and the earlier they are treated the better. An eye examination can also  detect underlying health problems that you aren’t aware of, such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, some brain tumors and multiple sclerosis. The Eye Examination will detect if your vision can be improved. You may just be used to seeing less clearly, so you don’t realize your eyesight can be improved. Good vision gives a better quality of life. It is essential that children have good eyesight, if they are to perform well at school. Don’t accept that poor vision is due to your age. It may be possible to improve it further. It is important your vision meets certain legal standards for driving and certain occupations.

Q: Why do I need an Eye Examination every 2 years if everything is always fine?

A: Eyes don’t usually let you know that something is wrong. Any change is usually very gradual, so you become accustomed to the change in your vision. Therefore, regular eye exams are important to pick up any change as soon as possible to make sure any problem can be treated before it affects vision. An eye examination detects many conditions earlier than waiting for symptoms to appear. The eye examination does not just check whether you need glasses, but it can show a number of underlying health problems, such as diabetes and glaucoma, and the general condition of your eyes.

Q: Is there a high risk of eye infection if I wear contact lenses?

A: Only if you do not look after your contact lenses correctly. This is why you have to ensure that the contact lens is completely sterile before you put it in your eye. Bacteria need 3 things to live – food, water and warmth – all provided by your eye! Soft lenses are filled with water so these organisms can therefore survive in them and in your contact lens storage case. If you use your contact lens solutions correctly, and follow the advice of your Contact Lens Optician, there is very little risk of infection. The importance of contact lens hygiene cannot be stressed enough – there are no shortcuts.

Q: My Contact Lens Optician has told me to only wear my contact lenses for 8 hours, but they still seem fine. Why do I have to take them out?

A: Your Contact Lens Optician will be aware of the health of your eyes and of any changes caused by the contact lenses. By looking at your eyes and your contact lenses your Contact Lens Optician can assess the health of your eyes. They will only tell you to reduce your wearing time if it is of benefit to you. Usually, there are signs that the eyes aren’t getting enough oxygen, so by limiting the length of time you wear them your eyes will be healthier in the long term.

Q: What is ‘contact lens aftercare’?

A: This is an essential check-up that should be carried out by your Contact Lens Optician, usually every 6 months. Regular routine aftercare is essential to monitor the health of the eyes and to ensure your ongoing suitability to wear contact lenses. Regular visits also allow your Contact Lens Optician to keep you informed of the latest developments in contact lenses and to ensure that you are getting the best level of comfort and vision from your contact lenses.

Q: Why can’t I use my spectacle prescription to buy contact lenses?

A: Your spectacle prescription is different to your contact lens specification. Additional examinations and measurements are required to determine the correct lenses for your individual requirements.

Q: Why do I still need glasses when I wear contact lenses?

A: Most people cannot leave their contact lenses in all day, every day, and expect their eyes to remain healthy. It is best to let your eyes breathe normally at least every evening and preferably one whole day a week, by not wearing your contact lenses. Therefore, you need up to date glasses to use. Also, your eyes may feel irritated by the contact lenses or you may get an eye infection, in which case you would need glasses to wear instead. If you do not have up to date glasses, you become tempted to keep your contact lenses in for too long.

Q: When should my child have an eye exam?

A: Children should have their first eye exam at about age two, although it’s never to early to test a child’s vision and eye health. Comprehensive eye exams are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems, injury and disease. Early detection allows for treatment to begin before the child experiences difficulty in school due to poor vision, or before any permanent damage has been done to the eye(s). Exams test visual acuity, eye tracking, and focusing skills, and detect problems such as near- and far-sightedness, amblyopia, crossed eyes, dyslexia, and color blindness.

Q: How do I know if my child is having problems with their eyes?

A: During the first year there are rapid changes in vision in each eye. Do not worry if your baby cannot seem to focus or their eyes seem to wander during the first 4 months. Signs that need checking by your doctor or Optometrist are – persistent eye infections (although in babies the tear ducts are not fully open for the first few months); if the eyes do not seem to be working together perfectly, which you will notice when they are looking at an object, which can indicate a squint; If they are school age and are struggling to recognize colors, shapes and not showing interest in learning to read or draw; If they are squinting to see objects clearly; If they complain of headaches and blurred vision. They may have difficulty reading.

Q: Why does my child need to go to an Optometrist when they have their eyes checked at school?

A: Although they are checked at school, it is not a full Eye Examination. Their distance vision is normally checked but this will not detect all levels of long-sight. Short sight and large squints may be detected, but the school checks are not usually carried out by an eye care professional. For a full Eye Examination you should take your child to a registered Optometrist. If left undetected for too long, some sight defects cannot be corrected.

Q: I have diabetes. Should I have regular Eye Examinations?

A: Yes! Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. These and other serious conditions often develop without vision loss or pain, so significant damage may be done to the eyes by the time the patient notices any symptoms. For this reason it is very important for diabetic patients to have their eyes examined once a year. The eye is examined through a dilated pupil, and our ophthalmologists look for signs of developing problems in the eye’s structures and blood vessels. Diagnosing and treating eye disease early can prevent vision loss. It is also important to maintain a steady blood-sugar level, take prescribed medications, follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid smoking.

Q: What is diabetic retinopathy?

A: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that weakens the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina (the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye where vision is focused). When these weak vessels leak, swell or develop thin branches, vision loss occurs. In its advanced stages, the disease can cause blurred or cloudy vision, floaters and blind spots – and, eventually, blindness. This damage is irreversible.

Q: Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?

A: Yes. People with diabetes are most susceptible to developing it, but your risk is reduced if you follow your prescribed diet and medications, exercise regularly, control your blood pressure, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Regular eye exams are an integral part of making sure your eyes are healthy.

Q: What is a cataract? Who is at risk for developing them?

A: A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens in the front of the eye. Cataracts are caused by a chemical change of unknown origin in the eye, and cause blurred or distorted vision. People at risk for developing cataracts are over 55 years old, have had eye injuries or disease, have a family history of cataracts, smoke cigarettes or use certain medications.

Q: Can cataracts be prevented?

A: They cannot be prevented from forming, but early detection through regular eye examinations can help maintain the clearest vision possible.

Q: Are there symptoms associated with cataracts?

A: There is no pain associated with the condition, but there are several symptoms that indicate failing vision due to cataracts. These include:

  • Blurred/hazy vision
  • Spots in front of the eye(s)
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • A feeling of “film” over the eye(s)
  • A temporary improvement in near vision

Q: How are cataracts treated?

A: Vision loss from cataracts can often be corrected with prescription glasses and contact lenses. For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, replacement surgery may be the preferred method of treatment. During cataract replacement (the most common surgical procedure in the country), the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens implant or IOL.

Q: What is glaucoma?

A: One of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises high enough to damage the optic nerve. It cannot be prevented, and vision lost to it cannot be restored. The high eye pressure associated with glaucoma is caused by blockages in the eye’s fluid drains. No one knows yet why the blockages form. People at the greatest risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.

Q: Does glaucoma have any symptoms?

A: Glaucoma often develops over many years without causing pain – so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed. Symptoms are occasionally present and should be taken as warning signs that glaucoma may be developing; these include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, halo effects around lights and painful or reddened eyes.

Q: Is glaucoma treatable?

A: Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be controlled. Treatments to lower pressure in the eye include non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops and medications, laser therapy, and surgery.

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