Beyond grabbing an updated pair of specs, trips to the optometrists for an eye exam can become few and far
between.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons regular eye exams are crucial, including for the early
detection of eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts, monitoring eye health, updating prescriptions, and even
identifying systemic diseases.
Plus, we’ll cover what to expect during an eye test, and how often you should be visiting your optometrist.
How do our eyes work?
Before we get into the necessity of regular eye exams, it's important to have a basic understanding of how our eyes
works.
Light enters your eye through your cornea (the clear dome over your coloured iris) and then travels through your
pupil (the black hole in the centre of your iris) and lens (which sits behind your pupil). Together, the cornea and
lens focus the light onto your retina, a layer of nerve tissue that includes rods (which identify shapes and
movement) and cones (which detect detail and colours)14.
Together, your rods and cones absorb light signals and change them into nerve impulses, which travel along your
optic nerve to your brain. Your brain then recognises these nerve impulses as a visual image14. Pretty cool, right?
Why should I get regular eye tests?
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Early detection of eye conditions: Regular eye exams are essential in detecting various eye conditions and
diseases in their early stages when they are most treatable1. Conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular
degeneration often manifest without noticeable symptoms in the initial stages2,3,4. By undergoing routine eye
examinations, you can catch any potential conditions early, preventing irreversible damage to your vision.
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Monitoring eye health: Just as it’s important to monitor our overall health through regular check-ups, it's
important to monitor the health of our eyes. Eye exams provide an opportunity for optometrists and ophthalmologists
to assess the overall health of the eyes, including checking for signs of infection5, inflammation6 (commonly
referred to as uveitis), or other abnormalities1.
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Prescription updates: If you wear corrective lenses, whether glasses or contact lenses, regular eye exams are
essential for ensuring your prescription is up to date. Vision can change over time due to various factors such as
age, lifestyle, pregnancy or underlying health conditions7.
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Detection of systemic diseases: Eyes can provide valuable insights into overall health beyond just vision-related
issues. During an eye exam, optometrists and ophthalmologists may identify signs of systemic diseases such as
diabetes8, hypertension9, and even certain types of eye cancer10.
What happens during an eye test?
Eye tests are completely painless and typically take just 20 minutes to complete11. You’ll begin your test by
answering questions about your general health, informing your optometrist of any family medical history, and, if
you’ve brought your existing prescription and glasses1, a focimeter will be used to measure your current
prescription12.
Types of eye tests you may undergo include:
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Visual acuity: While the name may sound fancy, this is just your regular old chart reading test. A visual acuity
is used to check your ability to see details at different distances, which can indicate a need for glasses or
contact lenses1.
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Retinoscopy: If your optometrist thinks you may need corrective lenses, they’ll then proceed with a retinoscopy,
or refraction test. Your optometrist can use a manual refractor head or an autorefractor to measure the refractive
error of your eyes1. If you’ve had an eye test in the past, this is the part when you’re required to look through a
small machine at a piece of text or image while different strength lenses are passed over your eyes, and asked to
decide which strength provides a clearer image.
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Peripheral vision: Peripheral vision refers to what you perceive through your side vision or "out of the corner
of your eye." Diminished side vision could indicate the presence of glaucoma, making it an essential test1.
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Eye muscles: An optometrist may evaluate the function of your eye muscles through an examination of pupil
responses and ocular motility, assessing coordination and movement, and response to light1.
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Front of eye: As mentioned previously, the front of your eye includes your cornea, lens and iris. An optometrist
may shine a slit lamp into your eyes to check for any concerns, such as cataracts1.
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Ophthalmoscopy: The back of your eyes, which comprises the retina, blood vessels and optic nerve, is checked
though a retinal test, or ophthalmoscopy, which involves the use of special drops to allow your optometrist to see
your eyes better. This test can pick up problems such as macular degeneration1.
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Tonometry: A machine that blows a quick puff of air into your eyes, allows your optometrist to measure the
pressure. This test can help diagnose glaucoma-1, which can cause irreversible blindness2.
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Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): An advanced diagnostic equipment that captures detailed 3D scans of the back
of the eye, including the optic nerve, retina, and macula an OCT test can help detect potential abnormalities, such
as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease13.
How often should I get my eyes tested?
Specsavers optometrist, Karen Walsh, says the best way to maintain optimum eyesight and health is through routine
eye checks. Between age 40-60 she recommends having an eye check every two years. After 60 she recommends every
year.
“With such equipment and increased knowledge, maintaining good eyesight and health is accessible to all.”
How much do eye test costs?
Medicare subsidises eye tests conducted by optometrists to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. If your
optometrist directly bills the government on your behalf, you won't incur any charges (also known as bulk billing).
Under this arrangement, Medicare covers the cost of one eye test every three years for those under 65 and one eye
test annually for individuals over 65. If your optometrist doesn't bulk bill, you can still claim some expenses by
submitting a claim to Medicare.
It's important to note that Medicare doesn't cover the cost of glasses or contact lenses. However, if you have
private health insurance, you may be eligible to claim on these items, depending on your level of cover.
Sources:
1Healthdirect: Eye tests
2Healthdirect: Glaucoma
3Healthdirect: Cataracts
4Healthdirect: Macular degeneration
5Specsavers: What do I do if I get an eye infection?
6Healthdirect: Uveitis
7Specsavers: Do I need an eye test?
8Optometry Australia: Why your
optometrist may be first to diagnose diabetes
9The Conversation: How your eyes
could help diagnose high blood pressure
10Cancer Research UK: Tests for
eye cancer
11Specsavers: How long should an eye test take?
12Specsavers: Your store visit explained
13Specsavers: What is OCT?
14Healthdirect: Eyes
Disclaimer
This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal
situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please
consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.