Why you need an eye test
Despite the obvious, namely testing your vision, eye tests can also detect harmful conditions in the nick of time.
Common reasons to get an eye test
- Update your glasses and contact prescription: vision changes as we age and so should your specs.
- Get tested for long- or short-sightedness, astigmatism (blurry, distorted sight), retinal detachment (you can imagine that’s bad), cataracts (cloudy lens of the eye) macular degeneration and glaucoma (conditions that need to be detected early to limit vision loss).
Source: Better Health Channel
Did you know an eye test could also detect these health problems?
Eyes are pretty sensitive and they may show symptoms of other conditions that your optometrist or ophthalmologist can bring to your GP’s attention for further tests.
- Aneurysm – a weakening of a blood vessel
- Brain tumour
- Cancer of blood, tissue or skin
- Diabetes
- Giant cell arteritis – artery inflammation
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lupus – an inflammatory disease
- Lyme disease – an infection spread by ticks
- Multiple sclerosis
- Myasthenia gravis – an autoimmune disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis – an inflammatory disease
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Sickle cell disease – a genetic blood disorder
- Sjögren's syndrome – an autoimmune disease
- Stroke
- Thyroid disease
- Vascular disease
- Vitamin A deficiency
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Not convinced? How about free eye tests?
Some optometrists bulk-bill through Medicare, meaning it’ll be free.
Do I need a GP referral for an optometrist eye test?
Not at all, you can book an appointment directly with an optometrist. You will however need a referral to see an ophthalmologist.
Are you in the Illawarra?
Peoplecare Eyes & Teeth offers bulk-billed eye tests.