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Why should I have my eyes examined regularly?
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Why regular eye examinations are so important
As we age, there is an increasing chance of eye problems developing. Many of the changes caused by eye disease occur slowly, often over a period of years and sometimes without obvious signs or symptoms. Regular check-ups make detection more likely and enable prompt treatment. The result for the patient is a better chance of curing or controlling any eye disorder.
Floaters
Floaters (or spots) are particles which float inside the eye and cast shadows on the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). Usually these are nothing more than a nuisance. However, floaters can result from eye disease or injury and do need assessment by your optometrist. This is especially so if they are accompanied by repeated flashes of light in the peripheral vision. Many people see floaters some time during their life.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can occur at any age, but it is more common as we grow older. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in New Zealand. When diagnosed early, vision loss from glaucoma is usually controllable with ongoing treatment.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is found to varying degrees in most eyes. The result of this condition is that outlines of objects seem more blurred or shadowed. This happens because the lens inside the eye or the cornea in front of the eye is toric in shape, where it has unequal curves like a rugby ball rather than spherical like a soccer ball. Astigmatism can occur by itself or with myopia, hyperopia or prebyopia. Prescription lenses will assist astigmatism.
Myopia
Myopia means short-sightedness. Generally vision is clear for near objects and blurry for objects at distance. Myopia can be corrected with the help of prescription lenses.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia is sometimes called long-sightedness and is due to the rays of light not being focused before they reach the retina. The eye has to exert focus effort (called 'accommodation') to keep an object clear. Blurring may occur at all distances, but is more pronounced for near objects, and is sometimes intermittent. The extra effort exerted by the eyes may also cause eye strain or headaches. Prescription lenses will assist hyperopia.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a process that causes to the "auto focus lens" in our eyes to become less flexible with age. This makes it harder to adjust focus from far to near. No matter whether you wear spectacles or not, if you see clearly at distance with both eyes, you will start to have difficulty focusing on small print at a normal reading distance. This usually begins sometime in your mid-forties. The power of lenses to correct for close work is additional to those you may need at long distance. Reading, bifocal or progressive prescription lenses will assist with presbyopia.
Phorias and Tropias People with phorias or tropias will have problems with getting their eyes to work together. With tropia (or squint) the eyes do not work together. With phoria a person can co-ordinate both eyes but only with a larger effort than normal. Your optometrist can detect these problems and treatment may be in the form of glasses and/or eye exercises
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