About Eyes FAQ

The Eye FAQ - frequently asked questions

When should you test the eyes?

Everyone needs to have regular eye examinations. In fact, almost one in two adults wears spectacles.

The critical period of visual development in children is between 0-4 years. In this time the eyes are continually changing. If a child has an eye problem, the earlier it is detected the better the long-term outcome. It is never too early to have your child's eye examined.
Between 5-20 years, the eyes change as the individual grows. Visual demands increase with school and work, so regular eye examinations every 2 years should be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
Between the ages of 20-40 years, the eyes tend to change less than the previous period, however, attention to visual health is still important and two years is a recommended time between eye examination.
From the age of 40, presbyopia (difficulty reading) starts to become apparent. Other changes including glaucoma and cataracts tend to occur more frequently in this period. A regime of regular eye examinations is recommended every 2 years, or more often if you experience any visual symptoms.

What is short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia?
	Normal, unimpaired vision Means that the eye's lens is capable of quickly changing it's shape to correctly focus light onto the surface of the retina.
Eye problems occur when this is not possible. The most common causes of this are;
	Short-sightedness = Myopia Means your eye will focus well at a close distance but not for long distance. This is caused by the eye being to long.
	Long-sightedness = Hyperopia Means your eye will most often see better at a long distance but close reading is more difficult. This is caused by the eye being too short.
	Astigmatism Means the eye does not focus accurately when reading and objects may be blurred at a long distance, especially at night. This is caused by the front window of the eye (cornea) not being a spherical shape but more like a football shape - more curved in one direction and less curved in the other.
	Presbyopia Means the eye will not focus on near objects but will focus on distant objects. This is due to hardening of the lens inside your eye with increasing years, especially after 40 years of age.

How do you fix these problems?
	The good news is that most common eye problems can be corrected. By placing an appropriately shaped lens in front of the eye, we can compensate for the sight defect. Just as we use binoculars to see further, we use prescribed lenses to see better. Both contact lenses and glasses are suitable, and occasionally eye exercises are recommended in conjunction.