A solid question indeed. Is taking a comprehensive eye test going to change for you? Like most health checkups, getting a negative result is what you should be aiming for. If it changes for you, you will be in for making some sky-high health care choices. It is better safe than sorry. And yes, comprehensive eye tests are worth your precious time.
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Update your Glasses Number with an Eye Test
Opticians recommend getting an eye test as regularly as two years. With growing age or growing up, your eye power changes too frequently. Wearing the wrong prescriptions for glasses can hurt your eyes and also cause headaches.
With a lower prescription power than your original power, you will have to strain your eyes to see clearly. Glasses are meant to reduce the strain felt in your eyes. If you are still straining your eyes with them, the spectacles are failing to do the job. You will need accurate prescription glasses.
With higher prescription power than your actual power, you will get blurry images or very sharp images. You will get a headache from the glasses.
Comprehensive eye tests include retinoscopy and computerised eye testing that gives you an accurate measurement of your eyesight.
Knowing is Better Than Not Knowing
Ignorance is bliss. This phrase is very famous. You get the false sense of assurance that everything is good and well.
We go for a medical checkup when you experience some discomfort. Usually, when you start experiencing some symptoms, the disease has progressed to some level already, and you are only remedying the symptoms.
By going for a comprehensive eye test, you can know the overall condition of your eyes. Most of the verdicts for the eye tests come out as normal, which is the most desired result. For the off chance, when you get a positive result, you can take action in the early stages.
Glaucoma, an incurable eye disease, can cause permanent loss of eyesight. This disease, if detected in an early stage, can reduce a lot of the damage. Your vision can be protected to a great extent with appropriate treatment.
Similarly, many eye diseases can damage your eyes to a great extent. Diagnosing them at an early stage can reduce a lot of problems for the future. You will be able to cut on your treatment cost and the pain you could have gone through.
The NHS provides free eye tests to UK citizens. Check the eligibility criteria and avail of the eye tests. You can save a lot with this.
What are the Tests in Comprehensive eye Tests?
Comprehensive eye test includes two types of eye tests – Vision acuity and Eye health. There are many series of tests in this complete eye test that determine the glasses number and other factors crucial for your vision.
Vision Acuity Tests
- Visual acuity – This first test comprises checking for your eye prescription power. You will be given a chart for a read. For myopia, it is a chart at 20 feet distance. And for hyperopia, it is a handheld chart. Apart from this, you go through retinoscopy, aberration tests to accurately determine the correct prescription for your eyes.
- Colour Blindness – Colour blindness often goes undetected if it is very minor. You can go through this test and know your accuracy in identifying colours.
(Trivia fact – In the UK, approximately 3 million people are colourblind. And most are men.)
- Eye Alignment – Your eyes need to move together to have a smoother vision. You can detect eye alignment issues and also get solutions to correct this issue.
- Eye Movement – How fast your eyes respond to a moving object? It is not that important in regular life unless you are in a life-threatening occupation or sports. But having a speedy reflex is good. You can avoid a fast-moving object coming towards you and prevent getting hurt.
- Depth Perception – In this test, you will be given 3D glasses and some patterns. You have to recognise their shape.
Eye Health Tests
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma test is done by inducing pressure inside the eyes. It is then measured.
- Visual Field Test – In glaucoma and similar eye diseases, blind spots are usual. This test helps in finding the blind spots in your peripheral or side vision.
- Pupil Dilation – A special liquid is put on your eyes which makes your pupils dilated. With dilated pupils, the ophthalmologist can clearly check the insides of the eyes and determine the overall condition of the eyes.
- Slit Lamp Test – This test is also done to check the condition of the eyes and underlying diseases. Your eyes are observed under a slit lamp which is like a mini microscope. The doctor can see the insides of your eyes and can find any abnormality in your eyes.