Do you know the difference between a vision screening and an eye exam? Well, it is amazing the number of people who don’t. That is why we have put together this post to outline some of the main things that set them apart. Hopefully, you will find it beneficial to your or your family’s eye health.
What Is Vision Screening?
Essentially, vision screening is a basic test that can be done by a GP, school nurse, or other certified healthcare professional. While it won’t diagnose specific conditions, it can identify if a person is experiencing eye issues that can potentially lead to a loss of vision.
The good thing about this test is that it does not require specialised equipment. It also can be a useful tool to determine whether you need to be referred to a company like 1001 Optometry for eye care appointments.
However, for it to be accurate, vision screenings need to be carried out by people who have tried using scientifically proven devices and methods that are age-appropriate.
What Are The Vision Screening Procedures?
A vision screening has three elements, which should be done in conjunction with one another to maximise its effectiveness in detecting any potentially serious eye disease.
Visual Acuity Testing
This test is performed by covering one eye at a time and reading a series of letters on a chart that is usually about 20 feet away.
They are arranged in horizontal rows, with the font size getting smaller the further down you go and can be administered to everyone aged 3 or over.
Pupil and Eye Inspection
This test can be done on people of all ages, including babies. It is designed to assess the colour, shape, and size of your eyes, which should be identical and reduce in size when it reacts to light.
Photoscreening
This easy to use and automated method involves looking into a special camera that is designed to find disorders, such as refractive errors.
What Is An Eye Exam?
Typically, eye examinations are performed by specialist ophthalmologists or optometrists who have the skills, experience, and knowledge to detect a wide range of eye issues.
Some of the conditions they will be able to identify and treat through a comprehensive assessment of your eyes are:
- Macular degeneration,
- Cataracts
- Amblyopia (aka lazy eye)
- Glaucoma
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Convergence insufficiency
- Refractive errors (such as near and farsightedness and astigmatism
Most people are recommended to have an eye examination at least once every two years. However, those under the age of 18 and over the age of 65 could benefit from annual eye tests.
What Happens In An Eye Exam
During your eye exam, one of the first things the person who is conducting it will ask you is about your family and medical history. They are not doing this to be nosey but rather to establish whether you could potentially be at risk for a range of hereditary eye conditions.
Once they have done this, they will then examine your eyes, which should include a thorough check of the following:
- Your pupils and external eye
- Peripheral vision
- Ocular alignment
- Visual acuity
- Eye dilatation
- Distant and near vision
- Intraocular pressure (your internal eye pressure)
- Binocularity
Often a comprehensive eye exam might take between 30 minutes and an hour to complete, depending on whether your ophthalmologist or optometrist wants to test something specific.
They might also ask you to complete more specialised tests if you are over the age of 65 and have a history of certain eye-related conditions in your family.
Vision Screening For Children
As children grow at a rapid rate, which can affect their vision, it is important to get them tested regularly through vision screening.
Often, schools will do this for you. But it is a good idea to take your child to a GP if they don’t. This is especially necessary if you see your child squinting or rubbing their eyes regularly, as it could be indicative of underlying issues.
In addition to eye charts, younger children might be screened by matching symbols or with specialised equipment that measures the reflection of light or eye position.
Vision Screening vs. Eye Exam
Both vision screening and eye examinations play important roles in helping you to maintain optimal levels of eye health, so it is vital you have them performed on a regular basis.
The former can be done at convenient places, such as your local GP or your kid’s school, and can be a very good way to identify issues with your sight. However, as the people who conduct them are not ophthalmic experts, they won’t be able to specifically diagnose them, just identify that something is wrong.
That is the primary purpose of an eye examination, which is always performed by a qualified and experienced expert in the field.
These professionals don’t just test your vision but will also check the overall state of your eye health. Most importantly, they will be able to prescribe any corrective treatment required for the conditions they find and generate a baseline for which comparisons in future assessments can be made.
