What is an Eye exam in Dubai?

An eye exam is full evaluation of your vision and eyes. It is different from seeing an optician who will only check your visual acuity. A full eye exam is done by either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, using numerous techniques and devices to determine the health of both your eyes.

The eyes are of paramount importance to live a carefree life, but they are also easily affected by internal and external factors. Diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of glaucoma or age related macular degeneration, and your lifestyle determines the health of your eyes and vision.

It is important that you see your ophthalmologist, or optometrist regularly to detect and avoid serious conditions related to the eye. For young children, its best to have them tested at least twice before they turn six: once at the age of two and then again before they attend grade one. Teenagers will need to get an eye exam in Dubai once every two years, and adults every four or five years. People over the age of 60 should have a yearly exam as they are prone to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

Regular eye exams helps diagnose conditions early, and may even help you avoid complicated surgery later on.

A general eye exam will check eyesight, peripheral vision, colour blindness, examine the structure of the eye for any abnormalities, and for any sign of retinal disorders, AMD, cataracts, and glaucoma.

A paediatrician will check the vision of infants and toddlers and look for common problems like lazy eye, crossed eyes, and squints. It is advised to do a follow up examination by the time he or she reaches five years of age. Children are prone to depreciating eyesight, especially if they are constantly on the computer, playing video games and watching TV. Furthermore, most children are not fond of fruits and vegetables, which contain most or all the nutrients needed for good vision.

Teenagers who use laptops and computers, play video games, or play outdoors in the sun without protective eyewear are exposed to ultra violet radiation, which damages the eye significantly over time. It is good practice to check the eyes of teenagers more frequently like once every two years.

Whether you wear prescription glasses or not, adults should have their eyes checked every four or five years. Conditions like high blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol affect the health of your eyes and should any of these conditions be present, your eyes must be checked more often.

Your eye exam will consist of different stages where your vision, colour vision, outer surface, and inner structures are systematically checked for any abnormalities. Each eye is checked individually and your Dubai eye doctor discusses the results with you in detail. Should you require treatment or need preventive care to avoid problems, you eye doctor will relate the options available to you.

If you were contact lenses or prescription glasses, bring them along to your appointment, as your doctor will confirm their correct prescription.