Vision check

Eye care should be taken on a regular basis. A vision check is one of the parts of the eye check.

A new-born’s vision develops during the first year, and during that time the first eye exam should also take place. An eye exam by a specialist is definitely necessary if you notice a deviation from the normal eye arrangement (strabismus) or if the child does not distinguish small objects.

Be sure to visit an ophthalmologist between 18-24 months of life, no later than at the age of 3, when the eyes are almost fully developed. At this age possible anomalies of visual development can still be successfully identified and treated.

If the eyes are normal, the next time to visit an eye specialist is in the 6th year, before school. By this time all of the eye optical aspects have developed. Hereinafter visits to an ophthalmologist are recommended every two years.

In adults up to 40 years it is sufficient to get the eyes checked every two years. Visit a doctor if there are complaints – the eyes are burning, red or visual acuity decreases. After the 40th year of age, vision should be checked once a year.

An eye exam consists of three parts:

  • Vision check from a distance and up close
  • Eye muscle control
  • Eye external and internal exam or eye structure exam

Visual acuity is assessed separately and far vision and near vision are checked.

The exam usually begins with a device. An autorefractometer gives primary information regarding the need of correction.

For far vision the eyes are checked separately; then the best possible correction is found for both eyes at the same time. A test table is used in the course of the exam and other more specific tests, which, in collaboration with the patient allow the optimal balance of comfort and visual acuity to be found.

As far vision control allows two eyes’ fine visual acuity to be balanced, it should precede every close vision correction.

During a near vision check it is important to specify the distance that the glasses will be used for. Often glasses for reading and handicraft are too strong for working with a display screen.

Results of the vision check and agreements are fixed with a prescription for glasses that makes it possible to buy new glasses.

Differences between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist:

An optometrist is a health care professional, whose main job is investigation and correction of visual acuity and sense of light, colour and form.

A doctor treats; an optometrist’s role is the investigation of vision and determination of glasses (also contact lenses) and eye health consultancy.

Generally an optometrist deals with healthy eyes, but, if during the course of a vision check an eye health condition is found he will suggest further investigations by an ophthalmologist.

If you need new glasses or contact lenses, contact your optometrist.