Technology
Making sure you can see clearly is only half of the eye exam.
Ensuring that your eyes and visual system are healthy is the essential other half of the exam.
We generally dilate the pupils of our older clients to get a better and therefore more comprehensive view of the retina.
Some of the following are checked as routine on everyone but others are done on indication and will incur an additional fee
- The front or anterior segment of the eye
- The retina or 'back of the eye'
- Intra-ocular pressure for glaucoma
- Visual fields
- Corneal topography
- Corneal thickness
- Retinal and/or anterior segment photography
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
Visual Fields
Visual fields measure your peripheral vision or ‘side vision’ and are an important test in diagnosing and managing glaucoma. Visual fields are also an important screening test to detect tumours, strokes or other neurological conditions.
Topography
Topography gives us a map of the cornea or ‘front of the eye’. It is used to accurately fit contact lenses and diagnose corneal diseases such as keratoconus. The different colours represent steep and flat areas of the cornea.
Photography
Photography is an important test as it allows your optometrist to accurately document the back of the eye and record any changes to the health of your eyes. This is important in glaucoma management, screening for diabetic retinopathy and documenting dry macular degeneration.
OCT
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non invasive scan of the eye using an infrared light and gives a cross section image of either the retina or the cornea and anterior chamber. This specialised scan can be competed in a few minutes and is vital for the precise diagnosis of macular degeneration and other retinal conditions.
Glaucoma screening
Glaucoma screening involves multiple tests which may include:
- Assessment of risks such as family ocular history
- Intraocular pressure checks
- Optic disc assessment
- Pachymetry (measure of corneal thickness)
- Visual fields
- Optical Coherence Tomography
At your initial eye examination you will be screened for glaucoma. If your optometrists thinks you are at risk of developing glaucoma they will discuss the importance of further investigation. In some cases these extra tests may need to be arranged for another appointment time.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) screening
Macular degeneration risk factors include increased age, having related family members with macular degeneration, UV light exposure and smoking.
Your optometrist will screen for macular degeneration by checking
your vision and assessing the retina and if indicated, OCT.
