If you’re in Melbourne and need to have an eye test, you may be wondering how they work. What will happen during the appointment? How much will it cost? Will I need to prepare anything beforehand? Well, you’re in the right place. If you haven’t had an eye test for a while, keep reading for everything you need to know.
Importance of Eye Tests
Firstly, it’s important to have regular eye tests. This is because your vision can change over time, and you may not even realize it. An eye test can pick up on early signs of conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, which if left untreated, could lead to blindness.
Although you may not notice a difference from one day to the next, over a few months or years, your vision could slowly start to deteriorate. This is why it’s important to have an eye test at least every two years.
How Much Does an Eye Test Cost in Melbourne?
The cost of an eye test in Melbourne is usually around $60. However, if you have a concession card, you may be able to get a free or discounted test. This is a small investment to make to ensure the health of your eyes.
What Happens During an Eye Test?
When you arrive for your appointment, you will be asked to read from a chart on the wall. Though this is the classic image of an eye test appointment, it’s still effective even today. Why? Because it helps the optometrist to determine how well you can see at different distances.
Furthermore, you will also be asked to look through a series of different lenses; this helps the optometrist to assess your prescription more accurately. By the end of the appointment, you will know exactly what your vision is like, and what kind of glasses or contact lenses (if any) you need to correct your vision.
Over the years, many new techniques have developed to supplement the tried and tested approaches. For example, this includes using digital screens. Alternatively, the specialist might ask to perform an OTC (optical coherence tomography). An OTC is a non-invasive test that uses light waves to take cross-sectional pictures of your retina. This helps the specialist get a clear view of your retina, optic nerve, and macula.
Don’t worry, an OTC is painless and only takes a few minutes. It is important to have one if you are experiencing any vision problems, as it can help diagnose several different conditions. These include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
Additionally, your test/treatment could include retinal photography, microprism prismatic integration, and more. If you’re nervous, speak to an eye specialist like Microprism Optics to learn more about how your appointment will go.
How Do You Prepare for an Eye Test?
In this final section, we want to provide some guidance on preparing for an eye exam. Do you need to do anything special in preparation? Generally speaking, no – you can go about your day as normal. However, if you wear contact lenses it is important to remove them before your appointment.
An eye specialist will likely ask you about your family history of vision problems, as some conditions are hereditary. Be prepared to answer questions about any vision problems you currently have and how long you’ve been experiencing them.
With this in mind, you’re ready for an eye test in Melbourne. Don’t be nervous, you’re taking a proactive approach and you might just resolve a small problem before it has a chance to develop!
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