Q:  When should an adult’s eyes be examined?

A:  Adult examinations of the eyes should be performed on a regular basis.

• Young adults (ages 20 – 39) should have their eyes examined every three-five years
• Adults (ages 40 – 64) should have their eyes examined every two-four years
• Seniors (over 65 years of age) should have their eyes examined every one-two years

High risk adults include:

• People with diabetes
• People with glaucoma or strong family history of glaucoma
• People with AIDS/HIV

Q:  What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?

A:  An Ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed to practise medicine and perform eye surgery

• An ophthalmologist has had at least 12 years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to diagnose and treat all eye diseases; perform surgery; prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses
• An Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practise optometry.  An optometrist has had at least six years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses; prescribe optical correction; and screen for some eye conditions
• An Optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of optician school) and on-the-job training.  An optician is trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist

Q:  What are the medical terms for nearsightedness and farsightedness?

A:  The medical term for nearsightedness is myopia, correctable with glasses, contact lenses or, in some cases, refractive surgery (LASIK or Corneal Ring Implants)

• The medical term for farsightedness us hyperopia, correctable with glasses, contact lenses, or, in some cases refractive surgery
• Related conditions (also correctable with glasses or contact lenses) include astigmatism and presbyopia

Q:  What is legal blindness?

A:  You are legally blind when the best corrected central acuity is less than 20/200 (perfect visual acuity is 20/20) in your better eye, or your side vision is narrowed to 20 degrees or less in your better eye.  Even if you are legally blind, you may still have some useful vision.  If you are legally blind, you may qualify for certain government benefits.

If neither of your eyes can see better than 20/60 without improvement from glasses or contacts, you may be defined as visually impaired.  In addition, poor night vision, limited side vision, double vision and loss of vision in one eye may also determine visual impairment.

Q:  How do you test residents with dementia?

A:  We have specialised equipment known as an auto refractor.

An automated refractor, or auto refractor, is a computer-controlled machine used during an eye examination to provide an objective measurement of a person’s refractive error and prescription for glasses or contact lenses.  This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a person’s eye.

Q:  How long for delivery of spectacles?

A:  5 – 7 days

Q:  If resident loses spectacles how do you go about getting a replacement?

A:  In the information pack you should have received from Visioncall a repair or replacement form to be filled in and sent into branch.

Q:  What happens during a hearing test?

A:  During a hearing test, or Audiometric hearing testing as it is sometimes known, an audiometer produces sounds of different volumes and pitch.  These are like low, middle and high musical notes played at different volumes.  During hearing testing, you are asked to indicate when you hear sound in the headphones.  The minimum intensity of a sound at any frequency required to create the sensation of hearing is known as the Hearing Threshold.  Both ears are usually tested.

Q:  How is hearing loss measured?

A:  Hearing loss is measured in decibels hearing level (dBHL).  A person who can hear sounds across a range of frequencies at 0 to 20 dB is considered to have normal hearing.  The thresholds for the different types of hearing loss are as follows:

• Mild Hearing Loss – 25-39 dBHL
• Moderate Hearing Loss – 40-68 dBHL
• Severe Hearing Loss – 70-94 dBHL

Q:  What is an audiogram?

A:  The audiogram is important as from the audiogram we can then recommend the best course of action to improve your hearing.

Q:  How do I arrange a hearing screening?

A:  Call 0845 050 1831 or book an appointment online to arrange a hearing screening.