Phillips Opticians Eye Care

It is important to have regular Eye Examinations to ensure:

That your eyes remain healthy

That the spectacles or contact lenses that you are wearing give you comfortable and clear vision.

The Eye Examination

Your Eye examination will take approximately 30 minutes and will be carried out by one of our qualified Optometrists who will be pleased to answer any questions that you might have.

At the start of the examination the Optometrist will discuss with you:

Any concerns that you may have about your eyes or your vision

Any symptoms that you are having

Your visual needs in relation to:

Work

Hobbies

Lifestyle

During the examination the Optometrist will determine the general condition of your eyes. A full range of tests and procedures will be carried out which will include:

The examination of both the interior and exterior of the eye and the lids

If you are over the age of 40 the pressure inside the eye will be examined

Where necessary your field of vision will be checked

Your standard of vision both without spectacles and with any existing spectacles will be measured

Using a combination of instruments and lenses we will determine if an optical prescription is required

This result will be refined by asking you which lenses give you the best standard of vision

The way in which your eyes work together will be assessed.

At the end of the examination when all the relevant tests have been completed the Optometrist will:

Explain the results of the examination and dvise you on whether or not a new or changed prescription is required.

Advise you on appropriate spectacle and contact lenses for your individual requirements

Recommend when you should have your next examination

Answer any questions you may have

Issue you with a prescription for spectacles if these are required.

Our professional care does not finish at the end of the eye examination

Following your eye examination one of our Dispensing Opticians will advise you on the various ways we can satisfy your optical requirements according to you lifestyle. This will include, not only, differing designs of spectacle lenses and frames but also contact lenses and sunglasses

If at any time you have concerns about your eyes or your vision our professional staff will be pleased to give you the appropriate advice

Optical Terminologies Explained

Optical Prescription

Most people have a small degree of visual impairment. For many this presents no significant problems and they do not need to have spectacles.

However for many the amount of impairment that they have results in blurring of vision, discomfort and problems with everyday life.

These optical errors are due to the structure of eye and the natural aging process and does not necessarily mean that the eye itself is unhealthy.

Some of the most common terms are listed below:

Short Sight (Myopia)

Distance vision is blurred

Near vision is clear

Long Sight (Hypermetropia)

Distance vision is generally good

Near vision is more difficult or blurred

Younger people often have good distance vision

As you get older distance vision becomes more difficult

Astigmatism

The front of the eye is not spherical like a football but is more the shape of a rugby ball

Both distance and near vision can be blurred

Even small amounts of astigmatism can cause discomfort when reading or using a computer

Presbyopia

Near vision becomes more difficult and spectacles are needed for close work

The muscles and lens in the eye become less flexible due to aging

Affects people from the mid forties

Squint

Commonly found in young children

When one eye turns and does not work properly with the other

If one of a pair of muscles is weak a squint can occur

A squinting eye may not develop properly leading to a 'lazy' eye

Often an operation, followed by exercises, can remedy the squint

Early diagnosis is important.

Colour Deficiency

Usually hereditary with around 8% of boys and 1% of girls having vision which is colour deficient.

Colour vision deficiency cannot be cured

Those with colour deficiency should give consideration to future career options.

Conditions of the Eye

While 95% of patients have perfectly healthy eyes the Optometrist will look for other conditions which can affect the eye.

Cataract

With age the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy

In many people this does not affect their vision but, where it does progress, the following symptoms may occur

A reduction in the standard of vision even with spectacles

Haze around lights especially at night

Glare in bright sunlight

Becoming less longsighted or more short sighted

When cataracts begin to restrict vision they can be removed and the lens of the eye replaced with a small plastic lens inside the eye. This is now a relatively straightforward procedure with a very high level of success.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the result of the pressure within the eye increasing until, if undetected, it causes a loss of vision.

In chronic Glaucoma, by far the most common type, there are no symptoms until visual loss is experienced.

Glaucoma affects 2% of the population over 40 and if a person has a close relative who suffers from the condition they then have a higher risk of developing the condition

During a routine eye examination all people over 40 will have the pressure measured to ensure that it is within normal limits.

Where Glaucoma is diagnosed treatment can reduce the pressures and prevent the onset of visual loss.

Age Related Macula Degeneration (ARMD)

ARMD is the greatest cause of visual loss in people over 60

There are two types of ARMD

Dry – The most common form of the condition where the macula (the area at the centre of the retina at the back of the eye which is responsible for detailed vision) gradually breaks down as part of the aging process. There is no treatment for this condition but it tends to progress slowly

Wet – The rarer form of ARMD where there are changes in the blood vessels in the macula area. This form tends to move quickly and where detected early it is possible in some cases to arrest the progress

Diabetes

Although a general condition Diabetes can in some cases affect vision.

It can affect the lens of the eye with the result that the optical prescription can change over a short period of time

Cataracts can form earlier and more quickly

Changes in the blood vessels at the back of the eye can affect the vision

It is for this reason that all diabetics are advised to have regular eye examinations.