Sometimes when the optometrist looks inside your eye they may not be able to see everything as clearly or in as much detail as they wish. This can mean that they have to dilate the pupil in your eye to have a clearer look at the back of your eye (the retina). This procedure is usually done at a second appointment and makes about 30-40 minutes.

Blepharitis is a common infection of the eyelashes. It is easily managed, but needs continual treatment to be effective.

The examination of young children can be a very rewarding and challenging procedure. The optometrist tends to rely more on the findings of their instrument (torches) and conducts a modified examination. Sometimes it is necessary to get a more accurate idea of the child’s full prescription in the case of long sight or in the presence of a weak or turning eye. This involves the use of an eye drop to help the optometrist more accurately access the true prescription.

Normally when we read or write our eyes automatically focus on the reading material, and work to keep it in focus over the period of reading or writing. This should occur automatically and easily through the focusing process called accommodation. However, some people’s eyes focus less than normal for the close reading position (called accommodative or focus weakness or insufficiency), resulting in fatigue of the focus system (accommodative or focus fatigue) as it works harder to try and maintain clear vision. This fatigue can result in a number of symptoms.

Meibomian glands are the oil-producing glands located in both the upper and lower eyelids. They number about 25 to 30 and normally slowly release oil into the tear film. This oil helps to stop the water in the tears from evaporating, thus helping to prevent dry eyes.

Your visual field consists of 2 parts: the very centre area, which gives you, crisp vision and the side or peripheral vision which is responsible for your awareness of movement. You can still retain very good central vision but have large areas of your peripheral vision that has been lost.

An OCT examination gives your optometrist a highly accurate knowledge of your eyes that is simply unavailable with any other tehnology. This extremely detailed understanding of your eyes can help in early detection, assisting your optometrist to diagnose and manage retinal problems.