Archive for the ‘Eye Exams’ category

How to take an eye test?

December 9th, 2009

Whether you wear or do not wear glasses, you may need some eye test regularly, so as to ascertain that your eyes are always in good conditions. Of course, the most common cases are when people who have found that there are some discomfort in their eyes. Then, eye test is essential to take. Especially for those who wear glasses, their eyes are prone to be infected, so they need to take more frequent eye tests.

Eye test can provide the timely information of people’s eye conditions. People can visit an optometrist for such eye test.  However, patients should tell why they come for such eye test. This is a vital procedure, for the vision decline involves many factors. After knowing this information, the optometrist may start the eye test.

A table is essential for such eye test. These tables may be pictures, alphabets, etc, of different sizes. The patients are required to stay about 20feet away from the table when taking eye test. Moreover, wearing their glasses is also required while taking eye test, for the optometrist need to know the change degree in eyes. When starting the eye test, patients are asked to tell what items on the table are. If the patients can not tell, it proves that their visions are under that level. The optometrist will provide the patients with some specific suggestions on their eyes when eye test have been finished.

In addition to traditional ways, some people have promoted the method of taking eye test online. This does have provided great help for those who are not convenient to call for an optometrist to take eye test.  Except the tables, people are also asked to finish some questionnaire when taking eye test. This can assure the accuracy of online eye test.

Visit an Optometrist Regularly

November 30th, 2009

Optometrist is often confused with the ophthalmologist, who is surgery practitioner while an optometrist is a doctor of optometry: treating eye ailments, such as vision problems, eye diseases and related conditions and prescribe eyeglasses, eye lenses and medications, but never do surgeries. However, most people seldom visit an optometrist and think they perform the same task as an ophthalmologist. Here below are some detailed information of what an optometrist usually does and the importance of visiting an optometrist regularly.

If you have an experience of prescribing either eyeglasses or contact lenses, you must have met a doctor who helps you see figures on eye chart clearly by preparing lenses suited for your eyes. He or she ceaselessly changes different lenses of different diopters until you yield you are able to get a clear vision without dizziness and any discomfort. Then the optometrist determines the correct power for your eyeglasses or your contact lenses.

Besides the routine test above, an optometrist test other aspects of your eyes as well, such as your vision co-ordinates, vision depth, color viewing and recognition and your ability to focus. He or she is able to do more closely examinations, called glaucoma check if you require them to so. Firstly he or she will ask if you are a patient with elevated blood pressure, or if you suffer from diabetes or cancer, so that he or she is able to suit the remedy to your special case, because those diseases might have a direct impact on your vision. Under normal circumstances, the optometrist will prescribe some medication and offer suggestions which are help for you eye care and eyesight.

Additionally, an optometrist provides pre and post-surgical care while the surgery is operated by an ophthalmologist, from which we may see the biggest difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist: the former is more of an eye examiner and he or she often work in tandem and monitor the same patients with an the latter. Besides, optometrists have very important administrative functions, including running offices, hiring employees, keeping electronic records, ordering supplies and equipments, offering advices for patients and so on so forth.

If you have never visited an optometrist, you are suggested to do so regularly. Visiting an optometrist makes you know detailed information of your eye condition regularly, so that if there are any problems, you are able to do corresponding solutions as soon as possible before the problems spanning out of control. Even that you have not found any abnormal symptoms of your eyes, but you are worried about them because of any discomfort, you can visit and consult an optometrist who is believed to give you professional answers and ease your worry.

Eyes are one of the most important organs of our body which are often referred as the windows of our souls. Without eyes, the world loses vigor and vitality; without eyes, life becomes discolored; without eyes, happiness goes far away. Therefore do no neglect our eyes, careful attention should be attached. Visiting an optometrist regularly should be the easiest and best way to achieve this.

Ways to attain coupons of free eye exams

November 29th, 2009

As some philosophers hold that the greatest wealth one can posses is no more than his health, without health he will never feel any happiness even with the greatest riches in the world. Of which, eye health contributes a lot to people’s health. Consequently, eye is such an important organ that can help one to see the colorfulness of the world. In this sense, eye health is a matter of life time.

However, for people of any age, eye problems are great threats for their health. Mattering nothing with age, eye problems may cause very serious vision defects if not approximately treated. Perhaps some regular eye examinations would be a good alternative to avoid such bad effects. Following the suggestions of related doctor is also very essential. Here are some methods that can help one to save lots of money while maintaining the health of their eyes.

Eyeglass, contacts lenses of high quality and other methods are really very ideal choice. But not all people can afford them, the low-income people in particular. Fortunately, one can maintain his eye health in some other ways. Some retailers have prompted some activities to help these people reduce their costs by releasing some free eye exam coupons on the net. Still more, people can enjoy some discounts on some occasions in addition to free eye exam. Doubtless, free coupons have really do some help. There are some credible ways to get free eye exam coupons-

1. Wal-Mart Vision Center: it provides much cheaper examinations for many low-income people. They just need to pay about $50 for the exam, instead of paying $100to $120 in other private eye doctors. One can trust a lot on Wal-Mart Vision Center, for it is one of the dominant members in the industry.

2. America’s best- people can receive some free eye exams there. But such services are provided to some of their specific customers in “Eye Care Club”. These consumers can enjoy free eye exams for at least five times in a period of 3to5 years, during which one can save about $300-$500, or even they can enjoy some sort of discount on other high quality eye care products. For such reason, one can really recognize the meaning of America’s best.

3. Pearle Vision- one of the top vision centers for its elite series. Because it provides some free eye exams, one needs not to worry about the cost involving such exams. But one needs to book in advance if he wants to take such free exams.

4. JC Penney Optical Center-it is one of the most popular eye centers for many people. One can almost get the most universal products of the latest fashion. Still more, they provide some sorts of discounts on their products except free eye exams.

5. Empire Vision Centers-one of the retailers that provide eye products at the lowest price. It focuses also on large families. Such families can get the best eye services with the lowest cost. Consequently, some online coupons for free eye exams are provided for them to ascertain that such goals can be achieved. Furthermore, a discount of $100 is provided for them.

The vision screening test before obtaining a driver’s license

November 25th, 2009

We know good vision is a very crucial factor for a car driver to guarantee both the drivers’ and passengers’ safety. So it should be extremely strict with the diver’s vision test.

In fact, the federal government has already carried out a federal vision standard, which includes at least ‘20/40 visions in each eye, 70 degree field of vision from center in each eye, and the ability to identify between different traffic signal colors. The standard is considered the minimum requirements if you are trying to obtain the diver license, which are studied and recommended by ophthalmologists and optometrists. But as the licenses are authorized by each state, the lowest requirement varies a little. If you are going to attend a driver’s license test, you can get the information from your local state.

Whether you have good vision or not you can get your license if your vision is satisfied with the lowest level in your state. If you have excellent vision, you are sure to pass the vision test, and you can at the same time get an unrestricted driver’s license. But if you have poor vision, it means you will receive a license with lens restriction. With that kind of license you have to wear the spectacles or contacts when you are driving, or else you will be fined or not allowed to drive for a period of time.

If you unfortunately fail the vision screening test, you can go to the ophthalmologist to have a full eye examination. The doctor will recommend you to take a right spectacle or even to have an eye surgery which can meet the driving needs. But the vision of 20/200 or poorer is not permitted to get a driver license. So if you have extremely poor vision, please stop driving both in respect  of yourself and others. After the examination, you are required to take a special driving test to assess if you are suitable for driving. There are some restrictions according to different poor eye condition, such as extra mirrors to improve the vision field, corrective lenses needed, daytime drive only, and certain road drive only (freeway drive forbidden). Though it may sounds a little strict, but we are sure everyone can understand the aim to keep each person safe.

Nowadays, there are a lot of ways to improve people’s vision. Laser surgery is one effective method. If you have had the eye surgery and get a quite good vision, you can go to the Division of Motor Vehicles to get rid of the lenses restriction on your driver license. Be sure to take all the relative documentations along with you, including the visual acuity, visual peripheral test results, date of the vision exam, and the signature of the ophthalmologist who give you the examination. Lack of any kind of above file is not allowed to get a restriction free license.

The vision screening test is necessary to keep the society work in an order. Traffic cop may sometimes check if you follow the driving rules including the vision rules, so it is better to keep your lately eye prescription at hand to avoid withdrawal of your driver license.

Regular Eye Tests

November 23rd, 2009

It is encouraged in the UK that people with eye or vision problems should have an eye test every two years. There are a variety of reasons behind this, one of which is that it could save you a lot of troubles in later years if you do get regular eye tests.

Primarily, eye tests serve as a check-up to make sure that your vision correction prescription – your glasses and/or contact lenses – is up to date. Without right prescription, not only can your sight suffer but the condition of your eyes can deteriorate overall. It means that bigger problems may be arisen in the future which should be rectified in advance simply by taking an eye test.

Eye tests also serve as a way for optometrists to monitor any early signs of eye diseases. As with other health problems, the earlier a problem is identified, the sooner it can be treated – with a higher likelihood for success than if the problem is allowed to worsen. Problems like glaucoma and cataracts can be identified far earlier than they might be if left alone, and solved in a comparatively easy way.

During an eye test, your optometrist will adopt several measures to determine the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. These include a discussion of your health and lifestyle, followed by tests such as the measurement of your spectacle power, the measurement of your eye pressure – key to discovering glaucoma – auto refraction to help with your base prescription and a test of your visual acuity. This test determines how well your vision works based on near and far distances, usually by reading letters on an eye chart.

There are many other tests with which your optometrist determines any other problems you may have, which check the general condition of your eyes, including the strength and flexibility of the surrounding muscles.

By booking regular eye tests, it is far more likely for you to save yourself from future pain and discomfort due to the greater chance of identifying any sign of diseases before they become too severe, and ensure your prescription is completely up to date so that you are not at risk of entailing any other damage.

Your optometrist will also be better informed to suggest a course of treatment, whether it is new glasses or LASIK laser eye surgery for corrective purposes – making regular eye tests an essential part of your routine health checks.

Get an exam for cornea before you wear contact lenses

November 14th, 2009

Nowadays, through the technology of contact lenses has got an incredible improvement in test and diagnostic capabilities, still, contact lenses can damage contact lens wearers’ eyes in a complicate way.

Besides the basic testing measures such as refraction, cornea readings and corneal health evaluation, proper contact lens fitting and follow ups still need to take the corneal topography and endothelial cell count measurements into consideration. The corneal topography examines include the tests of the outer most layer to make sure whether the cornea irregularities, curves or pathology. The endothelial cell count examine the inner most layer, which is one cell layer. The number of cells per unit area and the quality of the cells are evaluated by the ECC, it said there are 2400 cells per unit area which are similar in color, shape and regimented. Once any change happened in the cell, the cell would die and leave a gap in its original position. The function of the endothelium is pump water out of the cornea. Once it gets some hurt, it will affect the corneal swelling, thickness, glare, and, of course, the ability of vision adjusting will decrease.

People who wear contact lenses should get an ECC to certain the function of the eyes is okay. Once find any abnormal situation, the wearers should make some changes in contact lens wearing.

The size and appearance of the cell in endothelial layer cause polymegathism, which means the ability of the endothelial cell to pump water from the cornea becomes weak. As a result, people get opacificrion, which also called cloudy cornea. Essentially, the changes are caused by the increase of lactate, the PH has changes, which decrease the cellular ATP and increase the endothelial hypoxia.

All of these are caused by contact lenses over wearing. The contact lenses not so fit the eyes brings about the endothelium overload, which makes the number of irregular cells increase. Some cells may be really abnormal.

People who get serious Polumegathism contact lens wear should stop wearing contact lens or reduce the time of wearing contact lens a lot, less than 10 hours per day. There exist highly permeable contact lenses which can allow enough oxygen to cornea.

People should do their best to avoid any corneal surgery which may cause endothelial cells loss. What is more, future cataract surgery may develop the technique to avoid losing of endothelial cells during the surgery.

In general, people who want to wear contact lenses should get an exam to make sure their cornea are totally healthy and do not put their frail eyes at risk.

Why should we have eye exam?

October 16th, 2009

Eyes are the windows of human’s hearts. It’s very important to have eye exams every year or six months, because many eye problems such as cataracts, retinal problems and glaucoma offer no telltale symptoms.

Routine eye exams mainly contain several steps. The first step of an eye exam is a measure of visual acuity. Eye doctors usually use a specially designed pocket eye exam card holding at about 14 inches before patient, or a standard eye exam wall chart with a distance of 20 feet. Each eye is tested independently while the other one is covered, to confirm the smallest characters patients can read. The letters at the last column of the eye exam card provide the patient’s acuity compared with normal subjects. For example 20/200 means the patient can see at 20feet when a normal one can see at 200 feet, what indicates that the patient’s vision is very lousy. The patient can also wear his glasses to finish the same eye exams, the result are called “best corrected vision”. The second step of an eye exam is pinhole testing to determine if the eye problem is a result of refractive error. Then the observation of external structures and testing extra-ocular movements are carried out for eye exams. After that, eye doctors will use the ophthalmoscope to do closer eye exam of the outer structures of the eye and view the retina and associated structures. If needed, the eye doctor will also measure the fluid pressure in the patient’s eyes. High pressure may be a symptom of glaucoma.

Besides routine eye exams, you may also visit your eye doctor for the information of eye fashion trends or choosing eyeglasses.