Eye Check Up

What is an Eye Check-Up?

By far the best way to protect the ongoing health of your vision is through regular eye examinations. These routine checks allow any injury, disease or abnormality to be detected as early as possible, so that treatment can begin promptly. They also ensure that if and when you need vision correction, such as glasses and/or contact lenses, your prescription is exactly right for you, giving you the best possible vision.

How do I know if I need an eye examination?

Routine eye examinations should be carried out at various stages of life:

• Birth to 2 years: at 6 and 12 months of age
• Age 3 to 5 years: once during this period
• Age 6 to 17 years: before starting the first year of school, and every year thereafter
• Age 18 to 39 years: at least every 2 years
• Age 40 to 64 years: at least every 2 years
• Age 65 and older: annually

However, anyone considered “at risk” should have routine eye check-ups more frequently. In such cases, your ophthalmologist will advise you on how often you should be examined.

Those considered to be at risk, and who therefore need regular eye examinations, include the following groups:

Children (from birth through to 17 years of age)

• A family history of eye conditions, including myopia, congenital cataracts and other genetic or metabolic diseases
• Premature birth, low birth weight or supplemental oxygen therapy at birth
• A difficult or assisted labour (whether or not related to fetal distress)
• Maternal drug use, smoking or alcohol consumption during pregnancy
• High refractive error
• Known or suspected neurodevelopmental disorders
• Systemic health conditions that can have ocular manifestations
• Previous eye surgery or eye injury

Adults

• High or progressive refractive error
• Taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines that have ocular side effects
• Having functional vision in only one eye
• Previous eye surgery or eye injury
• A personal or family history of eye disease
• Wearing contact lenses
• Working in occupations that are visually demanding or carry a high risk of eye injury
• Belonging to certain racial and ethnic groups

Other reasons

• Eye strain and/or blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Red eyes
• Floaters
• Blind spots in your vision
• Unexplained headaches
• Any other eye-related concern

What happens during a routine eye examination?

Routine eye tests are nothing to worry about. They are painless and usually take about 20-30 minutes. If you are visiting a new ophthalmologist, the appointment will take a little longer so that a complete medical history can be taken. At your first visit, you will be asked questions such as:

• Have you had any eye problems in the past, or do you have any now?
• Do you wear glasses and/or contact lenses?
• Have you ever had eye surgery?
• Is there any family history of eye problems?
• What is your medical history?
• Do you take any regular medication?
• Do you have any allergies?
• Do you have, or is there any family history of, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) or diabetes?

You will also be asked about any current vision problems.

The doctor will then perform several different tests. These include examining the internal structures of the eye and measuring your visual acuity, to determine whether you need corrective lenses or whether your current lenses need updating.

Some of the tests you may have include:

• Visual acuity test: This measures the sharpness of your vision. You will be asked to read a series of letters that decrease in size, viewed from a set distance; this tests your distance vision. Near vision is assessed by reading a small hand-held chart.
• Refraction assessment: This measures how light rays bend as they pass through the eye. Refractive errors stop light from focusing perfectly on the back of the eye and may require some form of correction.
• Glaucoma test
  • This measures the pressure inside your eye using an air-puff tonometer. It is the most common screening method for glaucoma and, because nothing touches the eye, is known as non-contact tonometry. It is painless.
  • Another option is applanation tonometry. For this, you will be given eye drops to numb the eye, and the doctor will then gently touch the cornea with a small instrument to measure the pressure.

• You will also be tested on your ability to distinguish different colours, on how your eye muscles work (ocular motility test) and on your depth perception (stereopsis test), and you will undergo a visual field test to map your overall field of vision, together with a slit lamp examination and a retinal examination. The last two may involve eye drops, allowing the doctor to fully assess the function and internal structures of your eyes.