We seem to neglect our eyes until we experience a change in our eyesight. However, checking your eyes regularly is just as important as your routine visits to your dentist. If you have never had your eyes checked, visiting your optometrist in Canberra is still a good idea to ensure your eyes are healthy.
Your Initial Visit
Visiting your optometrist in Canberra is like visiting any health professionals you had in the past. Before we do any testing and assess your eye health, Our optometrist takes the time to understand how you use your eyes and your general wellbeing.
Understanding how you use your eyes daily allows your optometrist to determine whether glasses to help you relax whilst using the computer or driving would be beneficial. If you wear glasses, understanding your lifestyle would allow your optometrist in Canberra to recommend appropriate lens options and when to wear them to maximise their benefit.
Your general health could often impact your eye health. So it is essential to discuss any health issues you may have, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. These conditions could increase the risk of certain eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and dry eyes. These conditions do not significantly put you at risk of any ocular disease if managed and co-managed appropriately between your optometrist and your health care provider.
The Eye Testing
You probably had your eyesight tested at some point in your life. You may have this done whilst you were in your primary school when they do their health check programme. If you can’t remember that far back, your vision would’ve been checked when you obtained your driver’s licence. These tests ensure you meet the minimum vision requirements to hold a driver’s licence and do not tell you your level of vision.
The eye testing done with your optometrist in Canberra allows you to quantify your level of vision. You may have heard the term 20/20 vision, and during your appointment with your optometrist, you will be able to know whether you have 20/20 vision or not. Having 20/20 vision isn’t as important as detecting changes to your vision during a routine eye test, which you may overlook since your last visit to your optometrist.
Does it Hurt?
If you have survived a dental visit, having an eye test is primarily non-invasive.
When we assess your vision and determine your glasses prescription, you will be asked to compare the clarity between different lenses.
Whilst checking your eye health, there may be some situations where we need to put in eye drops, which may sting your eyes temporarily, to get a better eye scan at the back of the eye, assessing your retina in more detail.
What Happens After the Eye Test?
With all your vision and eye health assessed in great detail, your optometrist in Canberra will discuss the findings with you in a relevant way. Our optometrists recommend glasses only if they are appropriate and beneficial in your everyday life. Our optometrists will discuss the proper steps in maintaining and improving your overall ocular health and when it will be suitable for your next follow-up visit. It will allow you to ask questions about your eye health and address any concerns you may still have.
The Bottom Line
Regular eye check is just as important as anything else in life. Regular eye examinations with your optometrist allow you to understand your eye health in great detail. This will enable you to prepare and prevent any potential eyesight issues before they occur. If you haven’t had your eyes checked in the past, a comprehensive eye examination with your optometrist is one of the most important and valuable things you do for your eyes.