Our eyes are precious sensory organs. They allow us to visualise the world around us and provide our brains with critical information from our surroundings. Eyes alert us to potential danger, lead us to food and water sources, and allow us to recognise family and friends. Our quality of life drops significantly without perfect vision, and maintaining eyesight is an important part of safeguarding your health.
Eyes are complex organs and many different factors can affect vision, especially as we get older. To protect our eyes from disease, getting regular eye exams from a qualified eye specialist in Singapore is essential.
What Happens At An Eye Exam?
During an eye screening, the basic tests involve checking your vision, spectacle prescription, intraocular pressure, and performing a dilated eye exam. These tests can help detect refractive errors with your vision along with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Once these basic tests are conducted, it can then be determined if more investigations are necessary. Other tests like Corneal Topography, OCT scans of the retina and optic nerve, Amsler Grid Testing, and colour vision testing, will be done as follow-up reviews to diagnose vision disorders.
Learn More: Exploring the Different Types of Eye Examinations
How Often Should You Go?
Eye exams are good for everyone, but the groups that benefit most include those with a family history of eye diseases and patients with systemic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and eczema. People above the age of 40 and those with high myopia should also consider scheduling regular eye exams.
Children before the age of 5 should be sent for comprehensive eye exams at an eye clinic in Singapore to detect abnormalities in their vision. Children can be affected by eye conditions like misaligned eyes, lazy eyes, or congenital cataracts. It’s important to test for these disorders to avoid issues later in life.
With the prevalence of myopia in young children, sending your kids for eye exams can ensure they don’t face any learning difficulties when attending school. Healthy eyes means being able to read, write, and perform to their best ability. Annual checkups should be done for children with myopia, and children without refractive errors should at least attend eye exams every two years.
For adults above 40, your eyes should be examined every year or every two years, depending on risk factors. Certain eye conditions like glaucoma do not exhibit any symptoms but routine checkups at an eye clinic may be able to aid in early detection. Treatment at the beginning stages of such conditions can improve outcomes and prevent total vision impairment.
Your eyes are not just windows to the world around you, but are also windows into your physical health. The retinal blood vessels in your eyes can indicate if there is a risk of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or high blood pressure and your Ophthalmologist will be able to refer you to other medical specialists for further diagnosis and treatment.
What Happens After An Eye Exam?
If you have had your eyes dilated as part of an eye test, you may experience blurred vision and light sensitivity for a few hours after the examination. During this recovery period, you should avoid activities like driving or operating machinery. Try not to strain your eyes with reading or looking at screens. Sunglasses can be useful at this time to protect your eyes from bright sunlight.
If possible, arrange for someone to pick you up after your eye exam and escort you home. If your eyes were not dilated during the exam, then you can return to your normal schedule straight away.
The results from your eye exams should be given to you straight away by your eye specialist. If you have refractive issues like myopia or hyperopia, you will also be given a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Follow up appointments, tests, or referrals to other specialists will also be given in some cases.
Keeping your eyes healthy and problem-free is an important part of maintaining overall physical wellbeing. Eye exams can detect problems with your vision before any noticeable signs appear and should be periodically scheduled.
At Nova Eye Centre, we offer comprehensive eye care services that include eye screening tests and treatments for a range of eyesight disorders. Contact us today to let us know your details and schedule an appointment with us.