VISITING an eye doctor is something many of us don't even consider until we have issues with our eyes or vision. Things like conjunctivitis or seeing "floaters" are some of the common reasons that lead us to the doctors. Otherwise, we'd just see an optician to check if we need prescription glasses or to have the power changed.
For some, blurry vision doesn't mean the power of their glasses has increased. It could be anything from cataract to retinal tear, or even glaucoma where the pressure inside the eyes has changed, thus affecting vision. Only an eye doctor can make the right diagnosis and treatment.
Check-ups by an ophthalmologist are quite different than one by an optician. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specialising in eye care. They provide general eye care, treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgery. Optometrists are not medical doctors. They can't do eye surgery but can provide general eye care and diagnose, as well as treat eye diseases.
Opticians are technicians who check your eyes and fit you with prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and other correctives devices. They aren't eye doctors. However, if they notice any irregularities with your eyes or sight, they'd advise you to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
When you have your eyes examined by an eye doctor, they usually check your eyes without your pupil dilated first to test your vision and take measurements to determine if you need eyeglasses.
Then they'd have the pupils dilated to check if the visual pathways for each eye is functioning properly. They'd use eye drops to dilate your pupils. Some people find the eye drops stinging, but it's not really painful. It usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes for the pupils to fully dilate.
When your eyes are fully dilated, you'd be very sensitive to light. You should bring your sunglasses with the darkest shade to help you cope with that sensitivity.
Some people may experience blurry vision when their pupils are dilated, especially if they're trying to read. So instead of bringing books to read or play games on the phone, find other ways to pass the time while you wait for your turn at the clinic. Others have also experienced a tightening sensation in their eyelids.
AFTER EFFECTS
Because of all these sensations, it's highly recommended that you don't go for your eye examinations alone. This isn't about being needy when you ask someone to accompany you, nor is it about being macho and doing this alone. It's always good to have someone assist you when you're not accustomed to being visually challenged, even for a short while.
It's also important to remember that the effects of pupils dilation last approximately four to six hours before it wears off. So, it's best not to drive after your eye examination because your vision is impaired.
Your pupils can't control the amount of light that goes into your eyes, making the glare outside difficult to deal with. It isn't safe to drive. You'd be a danger to yourself and others on the road.
Your normal sight will return after that. Just give some time and be patient while the effects of the medication wear off. It's best to take the day off when going for your eye examination.
BE PREPARED
It's good to properly prepare yourself when you're seeing your eye doctor. If it's your first time, you'd be asked about your family's general medical history. They'll also want to know if anyone in your family has diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and eye problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, retinal detachments etc. What you tell your doctor would help him understand your problems better.
Bring your current prescription glasses and contact lenses (if any) to your appointment. Bring also a list of medications you're on because some eye conditions can be caused by medications. You can even bring your medicines to show them.
You'd be asked things like allergies to food, medications and other substances, medical history of hospitalisations, and surgeries.
A thorough check by the doctor wouldn't only be for your sight but also the eye muscle that controls your eye movement. He'd look for muscle weakness, poor control or coordination.
Your eyes would be tested to check on the extent of your visual field too — whether you can see the sides without moving your eyes. Your responses to the tests would help the doctor diagnose your eye condition.
Also, you'd be tested for colour blindness. Some people have poor colour vision without even realising it. The tests are simple. They'd show you photos of numbers and shapes from within the dotted patterns. If you're colour blind, you'll find it difficult to see certain patterns or identify the numbers within the dots.
The colours you can or can't see would point to the type of eye problem or optic nerve disease you have. All these tests would reveal the status and health of your eyes. You may get good news, or not so because you may need vision correction through glasses, contact lenses or surgery. If your eye exams show abnormal results, the doctor would discuss it further with you.
[The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.]
Putri Juneita Johari volunteers for the Special Community Society of Ampang. She can be reached at juneitajohari@yahoo.com.
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