Eyecare for Adults

Eye examinations are an important part of your health and well being. Adults should have their eyes tested annually to keep their prescriptions current and to check for early signs of developing eye disease.

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At Panoptic Vision, we have access to state-of-the-art imaging systems that offer an unobstructed view of the blood vessels of the eyes at high resolution. This enables us to detect early signs of chronic systemic conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension.

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Age 20 and above

 

After the age of 20, eyeballs usually stop growing and changing. Sight remains relatively stable from this time until the age of around 40 where most people experience problems with tasks up close. 

 

Younger adults not needing visual correction will rarely get their eyes checked. The increasing use of computers for studies and work can cause binocular vision issues (both eyes working together as a team). If not treated, this can lead to headaches, eyestrain, fatigue, increased error rates, and poor concentration and attention. Comprehensive assessment of the focussing and eye-aiming muscles will indicate whether the muscles systems are coping well or not. Early intervention often means simple, quick solutions can be provided, rather than waiting for major breakdowns in the system and the symptoms that come with it. 

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Age 40 and above

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Multifocal spectacles and contact lenses are for both clear distance and near vision. Eye health needs regular monitoring at all ages, but particularly after the age of 40. Family history of conditions such as macula degeneration and glaucoma become more relevant, and there are many signs of early changes that can be detected through a routine eye examination. Early treatment means much better visual outcomes. Many systemic (whole body) conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can directly affect the back of the eye. Other conditions such as arthritis and anxiety can have ocular side effects from the medications for these conditions. 

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After age 40, the internal focussing lens starts to harden (cataracts) and the focussing muscles have to work harder if clear near-vision is to be maintained. People tolerate this for a while but as the lens continues to harden, and the muscles have to work harder and harder, vision fatigue symptoms (as mentioned above) start to occur, ending in a blurred vision. Over about ten years, the lens becomes completely hardened and during this time, spectacle support for near vision is gradually increased to keep up. For some people who don't do much reading/computer work, they will notice that they will need an increase in their prescription every 2-3 years but for others who need to do work up close for many hours a day, they may need a change in their prescription more frequently. While the glasses themselves don't make the eyes worse, it is very true that the dependency on them increases. The internal lens will harden whether glasses are worn or not. Eye exercises can always help to keep the muscles strong and flexible, but the hardening lens will always end up pushing them past their physical limit. 

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Age 60 and above

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Cataracts are a normal age change that start to become noticeable when people reach their 60s with most having them removed in their 70s. The same focussing lens that hardens during your 40s gradually gets discoloured, yellowed and sometimes milky white, making your vision seem as though you are looking through a tint or dirty window. Cataracts are painless and often increase very gradually, so it is quite a surprise after one is removed and replaced with a new artificial lens to see how bright, colourful and clear the world now looks. There is about a 12-month wait list for cataract surgery in the public system and our monitoring of cataracts always takes this into account. 

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An optometric eye examination will thoroughly assess the health of all the areas of the eye from front to back and if needed, a referral to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) will be made. ​