Eye Disease
Sadly, good vision doesn’t necessarily mean you have healthy eyes. Eye disease is usually invisible in its early and most treatable stages, without any obvious signs that something is wrong until it’s too late.
However, many eye diseases and conditions are preventable and treatable if caught in time. Regular eye assessments to ensure your eyes are healthy maximise the likelihood of this.
Know your eyes are healthy!
Request AppointmentGlaucoma
A glaucoma eye test collects information about the optic nerve and peripheral vision. Picking glaucoma up early and treating it with prescription eye drops or surgery will dramatically reduce the risk of losing vision. In fact, glaucoma detected early and managed correctly will prevent blindness 98% of the time.
Glaucoma can only be diagnosed with specialised tests. A glaucoma test collects information about the optic nerve and peripheral vision, as well as corneal thickness and intraocular pressure.
The results of a glaucoma test are assessed alongside family history, as well as other general health risk factors. Only then can glaucoma be diagnosed.
Glaucoma eye tests require information and measurements taken from five different eye examinations:
Retinal imaging uses a highly magnified digital camera system to image the back of the eye, the retina. An expert optometrist can then assess the optic nerves for signs of glaucoma.
During this test we use a detailed scan within the OCT specially for glaucoma, to image the nerve layers behind the retina. It enables our optometrists to measure the early signs of nerve damage before they become visible to retinal imaging.
Our optometrists measure the corneal thickness using non-contact internal light reflection because thinner-than-average corneas have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
The visual field screening test is a glaucoma eye test that looks for early signs of the disease.
If the screening results give reason to suspect glaucoma, a more detailed in-depth test will also be done.
Our optometrists measure intra-ocular pressure using a non-contact method.
Initially, this involves a puff of air on the eye. If they suspect glaucoma they will use an alternative method known as Goldmann Applanation Tonometer to measure intra-ocular pressure more accurately.
Macular Degeneration
A macular degeneration eye test can help prevent vision loss. That said, in its early stages the disease goes unnoticed, so early detection of macular degeneration is vital to ensuring treatment success.
Age-related macular degeneration (or AMD) occurs when people lose central vision. That is the visual part that people use for tasks like reading and driving.
AMD usually occurs in older people, but genetics, smoking and diet contribute to the disease. It’s worth noting that most people affected by macular degeneration will not go blind if treated.
There are usually two main eye checks during a macular degeneration eye test:
Retinal imaging uses a highly magnified digital camera system to image the back of the eye, the retina. An expert optometrist can then assess the central part of the retina – the macula – for any signs of change.
Many of the retinal changes that occur in macular degeneration happen under the surface where we can’t see them. OCT allows us to take an image of the deeper layers of the retina to see what is changing under the surface. This is so we can pick up the signs of macular degeneration before the outward signs appear.
During this test we use a detailed scan within the OCT, especially for macular degeneration, to measure the thickness and assess the membranes behind the macula for any early signs of disease before they become visible to retinal imaging.
Cataracts
It’s important to note that cataracts are a normal part of the ageing process of the eye. The lens becomes yellow at first and then develops cloudy areas.
A cataract can interfere with your quality of life. Cataracts may limit your ability to drive or read. That’s when it’s time to talk to an eye surgeon about having your cataract removed.
There are usually three main eye checks during a cataract eye test:
Our optometrists view the front of your eyes using this special microscope and assess the lens and the nature and cloudiness of any cataract. In this way, they can even diagnose early cataracts.
By using a high-powered lens with this microscope, we can also view and assess your retina.
Retinal imaging uses a highly magnified digital camera system to image the back of the eye, the retina.
Our optometrists can then assess the retina and optic nerves to assess if glaucoma or macular degeneration is present and contributing to vision changes, if you have a cataract present.
Cataract often occurs with other eye diseases, such as macular degeneration. Many of the retinal changes that occur in macular degeneration happen under the surface where we can’t see them.
OCT allows us to take an image of the deeper layers of the retina to see what is changing under the surface. This is so we can pick up the signs of macular degeneration before the outward signs appear.