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Your vision is important to you, your eyes need checking on a regular interval, regardless of
whether you wear spectacles or not. The normal interval between eye examinations is every 2 years and every year for adults
above 70 and children, unless other advise has been given by your optometrist.
The normal conditions of vision include:
Emmetropia - whereby a person has normal vision. They still ought to have regular examinations so that the health of the eye can be checked.
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Myopia or short sight - whereby a person has clear vision when looking at close objects and blurred vision when looking at distance objects.
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Hypermetropia or long sight - whereby a person has blurred vision when looking at close objects and clearer vision when looking at distant objects.
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Astigmatism -whereby a person's eye has curves that are steeper in one direction than the other, a bit like a rugby ball (a normal eye has curves that are the same a bit like a football). A person will have distorted vision.
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Presbyopia - is a natural condition of the eye, usually from the mid 40's onward. It is a gradual process, so you may not be aware of its early stages. The symptoms usually include difficulty in reading print, or holding a book further away. It can lead to headaches and "eyestrain".
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Children's vision - this can change quickly as their eyes develop. Regular eye examinations are important for your child's vision and eye health. Reports show that 1 in 5 children have undetected eye problems.
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Some of the more common conditions which may affect your eyes:
Spots or floaters - especially noticeable when looking at a plain white background or the sky. They appear as dark specks in your vision. These ought to be checked by your Optometrist or GP. |
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Glaucoma - whereby the fluid pressure inside the eye (intra-ocular pressure) is too high for the eye to withstand without causing damage. This causes a loss of vision and eventually tunnel vision if left untreated.
The symptoms can go unnoticed. The Optometrist looks for signs of Glaucoma during your examination. |
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Cataract - a clouding of the clear Crystalline lens inside the eye. It is part of the natural ageing process. It blurs the vision, making it misty. The Optometrist looks for signs of cataract during your examination.
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Diabetes - can lead to Diabetic Retinopathy and other eye problems, which may lead to loss of vision if not treated early. The Optometrist looks for sign of diabetic changes during your examinations. Screening of Diabetics for retinopathy should be done once a year, these days it is usually done by hospital or Optometrist diabetic screening protocols. Diabetics are entitled to annual Eye Examinations paid by the NHS. |
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Conjunctivitis - an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin layer that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It causes redness and itchy, uncomfortable eyes. Either or both eyes can be affected. |
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Dry Eye - caused by the eyes not producing enough tears, leading to itchy, uncomfortable eyes. Your Optometrist can advise you on how best to treat your symptoms. |
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Age-related macular degeneration - affects the macula, the central part of the retina. The central vision "wears away" causing reduced and sometimes distorted vision. Your Optometrist can give you advice on adapting to the change in your vision.
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