A visit to an optician to get your eyesight checked is all too often something that doesn’t seem to be very high up on people’s list of priorities. But there are compelling reasons why you should schedule in a check up and here’s why:
Why Don’t We See Our Opticians Enough?
Generally speaking many of us, if truth be told, tend to put off visiting an optician for years, blithely ignoring the fact that reading small print may be getting a little more difficult for example. Or we may find that we develop headaches more often when performing tasks sitting at a computer.
Some people start to consider buying cheap ‘reading glasses’ that are sold in chemists’ shops and supermarkets. The problem is though that while this may seem like a solution of sorts those cheap, non-prescription spectacles can sometimes do more harm than good. If you think that you are beginning to have issues with your eyesight the best thing to do is visit a qualified optician who can advise you properly.
After Your First Visit
Once you have made your initial visit then, whether you have been prescribed eyewear or not, it is recommended that you visit every two years for regular check ups. These are essential to maintain the health of your eyesight and, if you wear spectacles or contact lenses your optician can make sure these are still right for you.
Although the NHS recommendation is a minimum two yearly visit you may need to go more often than this if you have certain eye conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, if you have high blood pressure or if you have diabetes. If you have a family history of any of these conditions then you should certainly visit your optician at least once a year.
What Does a Check Up Involve?
Eye examinations are very important because even if you think your eyesight is fine, experienced London opticians are trained to look for any deterioration or anomalies. Firstly an optometrist will conduct a thorough visual check on both eyes and this is to determine whether you need glasses or whether your current lenses need upgrading. The optometrist will also be checking the general health of your eyes and if there are early signs of any form of eye disease. If you have a history of glaucoma the optometrist will at the same time measure the pressure in your eyes. A typical eye examination can also show up any signs of cataracts or whether other health conditions like diabetes may be causing damage to your sight.
An eye examination only takes around 30 minutes using the latest high tech methods and you can of course ask as many questions as you wish before, during and after the exam.
After the exam is complete the optometrist will bring you up to speed with the results and discuss with you any findings. If it is determined that you need any corrections to your current eyewear, or if you need spectacles or lenses for the first time, you will be able to discuss your preferences in full at this stage. In the event of any conditions being found that merit a referral to a GP or hospital/clinic based eye specialist your optician will inform you of this and will make any referrals necessary.
Why Choose Camden Opticians?
Your eyesight is one of the most precious things you have so when it comes to taking good care of it you need a team that have over 50 years’ experience in the field of professional eye care.