| Eye Examination |
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A stitch
in time saves nine". It is important to have a
routine eye examination regularly to not only detect
any eye disease at an early stage but also to
maintain good eye health.
Routine Eye Examination should be done as per
following schedule:
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At Birth:
to rule out any congenital eye disorders (e.g.,
cataract, glaucoma,etc).
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At 1 year:
to rule out any developmental disorders of the
eye (e.g., cataract, squint, retinoblastoma,
etc.)
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At School
Admission: to rule out refractive errors (need
for spectacles), amblyopia (lazy eye), squint,
etc.
Then Every 3-5 years till the age of 40 years
Every 1-2 years after the age of 40: to detect
presbyopia, glaucoma, cataract, effects of any
other disease of the body (e.g., Diabetes
Mellitus), etc.
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More Frequent Eye Examination |
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Frequent eye examination
(more than recommended above) is required if you
have any of the following:
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Refractive Error: every
year
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Any other Eye Disease:
as advised by your ophthalmologist (eye surgeon)
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Diabetes Mellitus: as
advised by your physician or yearly if there is
no eye changes of diabetes and at least every 6
months if eye changes (especially diabetic
retinopathy) are present.
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Hypertension (High Blood
Pressure): Every year
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Thyroid Disease: as
advised by your physician or endocrinologist
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Arthritis: as advised by
your orthopedician or rheumatologist.
In systemic diseases
affecting the eye it may help if the physician and
the ophthalmologist constantly communicate with each
other. |
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Protocol |
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A good comprehensive routine
eye examination includes the following:
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Visual Acuity (ability
of the person to see)
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Refraction (assessment
of the need for spectacles)
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Orthoptic Examination
(assessment of eye muscle coordination and
strength)
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Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy
(detailed microscopic examination of the eye)
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Fundus Examination
(examination of the retina)
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Intra-ocular Pressure
(eye pressure)
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Any other test required
if any problem is detected during the course of
above examination.
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Who Should Conduct Routine Eye Examination? |
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Only a qualified eye surgeon
(ophthalmologist) can carry out a comprehensive
routine eye examination. In India most
ophthalmologists have one or more of the following
qualifications:
Optometrists are qualified
to test visual acuity, refraction and Orthoptic
test. B.Sc. (Optometry) or B.Sc. (Ophthalmic
Science) are the two main degrees that qualify
optometrists. |
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You can contribute to
the dream of "Vision for All for Ever" by spreading
the importance of Routine Eye Examination among your
friends and the loved ones. We all know that
"prevention is better than cure", but we all need to
do something about it.
Consult your Ophthalmologist today for a Routine Eye
Examination. |
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Author: Dr. Sanjay Dhawan
Last Updated on: 1 March, 2014 |
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