What happens at an eye examination?
At Vision 2 Opticians our Opticians (or Optometrists as they are also known) will assess the health of your eyes and your glasses/contact lens prescription during the eye examination.
Initial Discussion
Firstly the Optometrist will ask you a few questions about your vision. Are you having headaches? How old are your current spectacles or contact lenses? Is there any family history of eye disease? Your current general health and medicines.Vision Check
Then they will check your current vision with or without your existing spectacles.Retinoscopy
This gives the Optometrist an estimation of your prescription without you having to say anything. They carry out this exam by shining a light into your eyes or by using a machine called the Auto-Refractor.Refraction
This is the part of the test that will be most familiar to you. Reading the chart, the Optometrist will ask you a few questions to establish the best prescription for you. Always remember that there are no wrong or right answers, just tell the Optometrist what you are seeing and together you will achieve the best spectacles for you. Normally your distance vision will be checked first and then your near vision will be assessed. Another test which ensures that your eyes are working together, can be carried out at this stage. This is called Muscle Balancing.Ophthalmoscopy/ Volk Lens Exam
This part of the eye examination is most important. The Optometrist will shine a bright light into your eyes and then they can check the health of the back of your eyes which shows the blood vessels and the optic nerve head. This part of the test checks for various diseases and is why the eye examination is important whether you need glasses or not.Tonometry
This Instrument takes the internal pressures in your eye. It is very important in assessing the eye in relation to glaucoma.Slit Lamp Examination
This instrument has many uses. Mainly in the assessment of the anterior/front surface of the eyes for contact lenses. Placing your chin on the chinrest the Optometrist will use a bright light to see your eyes at various magnifications. Different coloured lights assess for different parts of the eye like the blood vessels and any damage to the front surfaces. Using a special very high powered lens the Optometrist can see deep into the eye also.Keratometry
This measures the curvature of the front of the eye, also used in assessment of the eye for contact lenses and to monitor any curvature changes due to disease or over wear of contact lenses.Visual Field Analyser
This assesses your peripheral vision. You look into an instrument and focus centrally on a target and it shows you many lights at various intensities. It is mainly used to asses nerve damage in glaucoma but would have other roles in modern optometry. It is now mandatory for Driving Licences Group 2.What happens after your eye examination…
Your Optometrist will explain their findings to you and recommend whether you need spectacles or not. Our Optical Assistant can help you choose frames that best suit your personality and prescription. Then your lens options will be discussed with our Dispensing Optician who will help you decide what best suits your needs.
PRSI and Medical Card Benefits
PRSI (PPS) Treatment Benefit Scheme allows a free eye exam every 2 years, once eligible. There is also an allowance towards your glasses. We have a great range of free glasses including standard reading or distance lenses. This allowance can also be used towards contact lenses.
To check your eligibility all we need is your PPS number and date of birth when booking your appointment.
If you are using your Medical Card Benefit you will need to have an approved form from the HSE before your eye exam. You can call instore to us to fill out the form and we will send it for authorisation. Once you receive the approved form back you can book your appointment with us.
