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+ How frequently should I have an eye examination?
Don't take for granted your ability to see. Even if you think you see well, it doesn't
necessarily mean that your eyes are healthy. I can detect serious eye conditions (such as
glaucoma and macular degeneration) in their early stages. Early intervention
gives you the best possible chance of maintaining good vision. In fact, some
health conditions such as diabetes can even be detected through regular,
preventative eye examinations.
Make a regular visit to your optometrist part of your
overall health plan. Follow the
guideline of “Test yearly to see clearly” for optimum ocular health.
+ How much will my eye exam cost?
The cost of an eye examination depends on the specific tests performed. Our fees are at or below the recommended fee guide of The South African Optometric Association. The 2012 fee for a comprehensive examination is R378.00 – We charge R350.00. [Fees are subject to change without notice.] We have a regular Tuesday Clinic Day for domestic staff and people in need. Packages are heavily subsidised by our suppliers. + How can I pay my bill?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, debit card, cash and
electronic transfers.
+ What is glaucoma and how common is it?
Glaucoma is an eye disease usually caused by increased
pressure inside the eye which damages the optic nerve. If left untreated, it can cause blindness. If detected early enough through regular
examinations, it is easily treatable by an eye specialist.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. In fact, half of people with glaucoma don’t even know they
have it!
+ What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a chronic disease of the eye
caused by fluid leaking from blood vessels lying under the retinal receptors,
which causes loss of central vision. 35%
of the population over 75 years of age have the disease.
Progression of this disease can be slowed down by early
detection through regular eye examinations.
+ How does diabetes affect vision?
Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of blindness in
people aged 20 - 74. As well as causing excessive thirst and frequent
urination, the first symptoms of diabetes can be a sudden change in spectacle
prescription and / or fluctuating vision. When blood sugar is brought under control,
vison will often return to normal.
However, retinal damage can occur over time if blood
sugar is not properly controlled. Regular eye examinations are therefore
important to monitor the condition of the retina.
+ What is a cataract?
The crystalline lens, situated
inside the eye, is the focusing mechanism of the eye, just like the lens on the front of a camera. As we age, this clear lens becomes cloudy and
yellow and loses its ability to change focus (accommodate). This condition is called a cataract and results
in a general dimming of vision. A
cataract may be slow to develop but once it appears, it almost always continues
to become cloudier.
There is no known treatment such as
diet, exercise, eye drops or laser technology to prevent formation or to cure a
cataract. It is for most people a normal
part of aging. When it has developed,
the only way to restore normal vision is surgical removal of the lens by an eye
specialist and replacement with a permanent implant. Once a cataract has been
removed, it will not come back.
Cataract removal is probably one of
the most common and successful operations done on the human body. For the first couple of days after cataract
surgery, the eye may be red and sensitive, but full recovery usually takes
about four – six weeks. At this stage we
will test your eyes again to determine whether you require new spectacles.
+ What is a pterygium
A pterygium is the pinkish yellow
growth on the conjunctiva, which can be seen with the naked eye. A pterygium can grow towards and onto the
cornea, inducing astigmatism and loss of vision. When this happens, it needs to
be surgically removed.
Pterygiums are fairly common in
areas where people live mostly outdoors, and where they are more exposed to
ultra-violet rays, wind and dust. When a pterygium is irritated by above
factors it can become inflamed, red and uncomfortable. Therefore it is always
wise to wear a good pair of sunglasses and use a moisturising eyedrop, to relieve
discomfort.
Your pterygium is generally not
malignant in nature, but it is crucial
to see your optometrist regularly to monitor the progression of your
pterygium’s growth. Surgical removal is
performed by an eye specialist when necessary.
+ I see spots.
Floaters are a condition
characterized by cloudy particles within the eye that seem to float about in
the field of vision. As we age, the fluid in the eye becomes more compact,
forming these cloudy particles. Due to gravity, these particles lie at the
bottom of the eye and only on movement of the eye we seem to notice them. Almost everyone has some floaters; they are
quite common and are usually harmless.
When to consult your optometrist: + Does pregnancy affect vision?
Temporary eye conditions, due to an
increase in hormones, can occur but vision returns almost to normal after
delivery. + Can my medication cause visual problems?
Drugs, and mostly drug combinations,
may have a drastic effect on your vision. These visual changes may be symptomatic of a
reaction to medication: it includes dry or teary eyes, blurred, yellow or
double vision, sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, increased pupil sizes,
poor night vision, and change in your normal eye color. Consult your GP before
reducing any intake of medication.
+ Why do I need reading glasses?
As we get older, regardless of
whether or not we have always had normal vision or have suffered from myopia,
hyperopia or astigmatism, a natural
age-related process, called presbyopia,
occurs. When you go past the age of 40-50, the lens inside your eye loses its
elasticity and cannot accommodate any more, making it difficult to focus on objects that are close by. By holding
reading material at arms length, we temporarily compensate for this problem in
the short term, but later necessitates
needing reading glasses.
+ What is laser surgery?
Laser surgery is a computer
controlled correction of the refractive error of the cornea using lasers, and performed by an eye specialist. The ultimate goal of this surgery is to not
need spectacles any longer. To determine
whether you are a suitable candidate, the following must be taken into
consideration: There are many different surgical
options open to the eye specialist.
+ Are my purchases covered by any guarantees?
Frames: Ask a question
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