For a lot of people the first and last eye test they have is when they take their driving test. Can you read that number plate?? Recent research by an Insurance company showed that 55 percent of British drivers require glasses or contact lenses for driving, and that 18 percent (that’s 3 million drivers) have driven without their lenses - scarey but true!

“Regardless of your age or physical health, it is important for everyone to have a regular eye examination,“ explains Amar Shah, an Optometrist with his own practice on Cotham Hill. “During a complete eye examination an Optometrist will not only determine the prescription for any glasses you may need, but will also check for eye disease, assess how your eyes work together as a team and evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health“.

For children eye examinations can play an important role in ensuring normal development. Vision is closely linked to learning processes. Children who have trouble seeing or interpreting what they see could have trouble at school. Often children will not complain of visual problems simply because they don’t know what ’normal’ vision looks like. If a child is performing poorly at school or exhibits a reading or learning difficulty, an eye examination could highlight an underlying visual cause.

Modern technology allows Optometrists to build up a more complete picture of your eyes using for example a computerised visual field screener to check your peripheral vision. “An imaging system enables digital pictures of the retina and the cornea to be taken, to provide a permanent and accurate record of the health of condition of your eyes. Stored for future reference they can then be used to monitor any changing eye conditions.“ explains Amar. “I find the use of these imaging systems invaluable, it helps me show and explain to patients what is happening with their eyes, so that they have a better understanding of what treatment if any is required.“

If you do need some sort of vision correction nowadays you have a number of different options to consider, each having their own merits.

  • Glasses - Nowadays it is possible to chose from an eclectic range of materials and colours. Rule one is there are no rules - try on a range of shapes and styles - You may be surprised to see what suits you.
  • Contact lenses - Again a wide range of lenses are now available to correct most visual defects, whether it is short sight, long sight or astigmatism. Contact lenses are even available now to correct changes that happen in middle age!
  • Orthokeratology - A new type of contact lens that is worn at night. It reshapes the cornea so that you can see clearly during the day. Not suitable for every one but a very interesting development.
  • Laser Corrective Surgery - Again not for everyone, and a careful, complete pre -operative assessment is required to assess suitability, and to discuss risks and complications.
“An Optometrist is there to give you advice on whether you need some form of visual correction and what options are most suitable for you on an individual basis,“ explains Amar.

You only get one pair of eyes, so ’look after them’ is the best advice.

 
 
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