Each of our Courts Optical locations is staffed by a fully qualified, and locally-registered, Optometrist, and fitted with the latest in vision screening technology, the likes of which is unavailable elsewhere in many of the markets in which we operate.
Our complementary vision screening is a relatively short examination that can indicate the presence of an existing or potential vision problem, and consists of the following components:
- Health History – our team will ask you for information on your overall health, and that of your immediate family, any medication that you are currently taking (whether prescription or over-the-counter), whether you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes, and general questions relating to your lifestyle, including, but not limited to, allergies, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption.
- External Eye Examination – the Optometrist will use handheld devices to examine the external parts of the eyes – the whites of the eyes, the iris, pupil, eye muscles, tear ducts and cornea. We do not dilate the pupil with eyedrops, and the equipment we use is non-contact. If the Optometrist identifies a reason for further testing we may refer you to an Ophthalmologist.
- Refraction – the refraction determines the sharpness, or clarity, of both your near (reading) and distance vision. To do this the Optometrist will use a state of the art digital phoropter to test your ability to read letters of varying sizes, both with and without corrective lenses. For children we use a series of images instead of letters, to determine vision clarity.
- Internal Eye Examination – depending on the outcome of the external eye examination and the refraction the Optometrist may conduct an internal eye examination, using an advanced piece of equipment known as a slit lamp. The slit lamp comprises a high-intensity light source, and a microscope, facilitating an examination of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, including the eyelid, sclera, conjunctiva, iris and cornea. The slit lamp exam helps detect many ocular diseases, such as cataracts, conjunctivitis, diabetic retinopathy, keratoconus and macular degeneration.
- Pressure Test – using a non-contact tonometer the Optometrist will test the fluid pressure (also known as intraocular pressure) within your eyes to check for the possibility of glaucoma. The equipment works by expelling a puff of air onto the surface of the eye, and is a much more hygienic and comfortable alternative to traditional tonometers that touch the surface of the eye.
- Additional Tests – depending on your circumstances the Optometrist may administer further tests, for example to check your blood sugar level.