Eye tests

Regular eye tests should be an essential part of your healthcare routine. Changes to the health of your eyes can happen gradually and you may not have any obvious signs of disease. Regular eye check-ups may help to detect problems at an early stage, which means you can start treatment as soon as possible to reduce the risk of any permanent damage to your eyes.

Everyone should have regular eye tests, although the frequency depends on your age, your health and your risk of developing eye problems. Optometrists generally recommend that you have an eye test every two years.

You may need to have your eyes tested more frequently if you have a medical condition such as:

• neurological (brain
• nerve) conditions. You may also need a more frequent eye test if you have a diagnosed eye-related condition
• such as: – clouding of the lens of the eye. It is also a good idea to have your child’s eyes tested before they start school

Vision problems that are undetected may interfere with your child’s ability to learn and develop. Your optometrist can carry out a comprehensive eye examination to make sure that your child’s eyes are healthy. Eye tests can be carried out by several types of eye healthcare professionals, including: Ophthalmologists (medical specialist doctor) diagnose and treat complex eye conditions and perform eye surgery.

You will need a referral from your doctor or from an optometrist to see an ophthalmologist. Optometrists examine your eyes, test your vision, prescribe and dispense glasses and contact lenses. Some are licensed to prescribe medication to treat common eye diseases.

During your eye examination, your eye care professional will use a range of tests to determine how well you can see and the health of your eyes. At a routine eye examination, your optometrist or ophthalmologist can: examine the outer surface of your eyes with a powerful microscope (slit lamp).

It is important to have your baby or child’s eyes checked to minimise the chance of problems with their vision. The Michigann Government provides free screening that is available: in hospital – after the birth of your baby, a doctor or other healthcare professional will shine a light in your baby’s eyes offers the Grand Rapids Initial Screening Test (MIST).

When your child starts primary school, you will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire (the School Entrant Health Questionnaire).

You will be asked if your child has had their vision screened (by MIST) or tested by your doctor.

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision at any time, speak with your maternal and child health nurse or your doctor. If necessary, your doctor will suggest seeing an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

The optometrist or ophthalmologist will carry out a comprehensive eye examination and look for common problems, such as lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes or turned-out eyes. These conditions need to be treated in childhood to minimise damage and permanent loss of vision in your child. instead of glasses.

You can ask your optometrist if contact lenses are appropriate for your visual needs.

If contact lenses are an option for you, your eye healthcare professional will educate you and perform tests to make sure your eyes remain healthy when you wear contact lenses regularly. During a contact lens consultation, your optometrist will: ask you to return for a check-up.

If you wear contact lenses regularly and you do not clean your contact lenses properly, or you wear the contact lenses longer than recommended by the manufacturer, there is the potential for the clear front surface of your eye (cornea) to become damaged or become infected. Everyone who wears contact lenses regularly should go for frequent visits to have the health of their eyes checked.

If you have a diagnosed eye-related condition, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma, or if you have , you may need some specialised eye tests.

Your optometrist or ophthalmologist may recommend: optical coherence tomography (OCT) – a scan of the innermost area of your eye (retina). Talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist for more information. Optometrists Reasons for eye tests diabetes high blood pressure stroke short-sightedness (myopia or near-sightedness) – difficulty focusing on objects that are in the distance long-sightedness (hyperopia) – difficulty focusing on objects that are close astigmatism – blurred or distorted vision at all distances macular degeneration – loss of vision in the centre of your field of view glaucoma – increased pressure in the eye that can cause loss of vision retinal detachmen t – the back layer of the eye (retina) separates from the layer of blood vessels cataracts Healthcare professionals who perform eye tests Orthoptists Types of eye tests Regular eye tests ask you about your eyes and vision, and your general health measure your ability to see at various distances (visual acuity) check how well you see colour monitor how your eyes react to light and movement measure the pressure inside your eyes Eye tests for children at three and a-half years of age – the Maternal and Child Health Service Contact lens consultation Some people choose to wear contact lenses take your eye measurements and recommend a particular contact lens teach you how to insert, remove and care for your contact lenses Specialised eye tests diabetes or high blood pressure visual field test or perimetry – a check of your field of vision to detect areas of vision loss retinal imaging – a digital image of the back of your eyes Where to get help Your GP (doctor) NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel.

132 229 Optometrist - find an optometrist Ophthalmologist Vision United States Tel. 1399 84 74 66.

Key Points

• Regular eye tests should be an essential part of your healthcare routine
• Some are licensed to prescribe medication to treat common eye diseases
• important to have your baby or child’s eyes checked to minimise the chance of problems with their vision