Ques 1. What is the difference between an Eye Refraction Examination and a Comprehensive Eye Health Examination?
» An Eye Refraction Examination is a routine eye examination to examine for refractive errors caused by myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and hyperopia. This refraction will allow us to determine your basic eyeglasses or contact lenses prescription/power.
» Whereas a Comprehensive Eye Health Examination is a detailed assessment of the visual performance and health of your eyes, it includes checking for eye prescription and screening the eyes for common vision-threatening eye diseases like Cataracts, Glaucoma, Retinal changes, etc.
Ques 2. How often should I have a comprehensive eye health examination?
» Recommended Frequency for Comprehensive Eye Health Screenings:
Yearly
– For Adults
– For Senior Citizens
6 Monthly
– For Children (especially for children wearing spectacle) and
– For Contact Lenses wearers
And
– Whenever you need to prescribe a new pair of spectacle or contact lenses.
– As instructed by your healthcare practitioner or doctor.
– When you experience discomfort in your eyes or vision.
Ques 3. Why is it important to go for regular comprehensive eye health screenings?
» Everyone should have regular comprehensive eye health screenings as part of routine care by their optometrists, as there are many eye diseases that are asymptomatic. Early detection during eye examination like blinding eye diseases and ocular manifestations due to systemic disease, or any abnormalities can often be treated.
Ques 4. What do I need to prepare or bring with me during a comprehensive eye examination?
» You should bring along with you the pair of spectacle OR the contact lenses that you currently use.
» Bring your prescription if you still retain the records or information.
» For contact lens wearers, it is strongly advisable to come for the eye screening without wearing contact lenses (recommended to be at least 2 hours without contact lenses).
» Gather a list of any vision and eye-related conditions in your family.
» Make a list of symptoms that concern you if any.
Ques 5. How long does it take for an eye examination?
» A routine Eye Refraction Examination should take about 20 to 30 mins. Some standard routine tests will be conducted, the exact tests will vary from individual to individual as everyone can have different visual problems, needs, and requirements that need to be addressed.
» Whereas a comprehensive eye health examination may require a longer duration – at least 40 mins to 60 mins and subjected to individual conditions, as it is a detailed assessment of the ocular eye health which includes screenings for common eye diseases and conditions.
Ques 6. Do I need an appointment for an eye examination?
» Yes, we strongly recommend to schedule an appointment with us, to avoid any long wait in case our optometrist is engaged with screenings appointments with other patients.
Ques 7. Why can’t I use my spectacle prescription to purchase contact lenses?
» Your spectacle prescription and contact lenses prescription are likely to be different. As the prescription for contact lenses requires different information than the prescription for your spectacle. Along with the level of vision correction, the contact lenses prescription will include the base curve which is required to fit the curvature of the lenses to your eyes and the diameter is used to fit the width of the lenses to your eyes.
Ques 8. Can I just purchase a pair of spectacle or contact lenses without an eye examination?
» Yes, if your spectacle prescription is still valid (recommended to be at least 1 year). For spectacles, please bring along your prescription (from a registered optometrist/ophthalmologist/doctor in Singapore or overseas), or a referral letter (if you have one).
» For contact lenses, you may pre-order using your current prescription as this will help save you time and effort should your contact lenses be unavailable at the point of purchase.
» Your contact lenses prescription lasts for 6 months, so please ensure your prescription is up to date before you run out of your contact lenses supply.
» If you are unsure, please schedule an appointment for your Contact Lens Eye Examination for your purchase of contact lenses.
» For new contact lens customers, an eye examination and contact lens fitting with our optometrist is a mandatory procedure before a purchase can be made.
Ques 9. Can I make my lenses with the same degree as my existing pair of glasses?
» Certainly yes. Please visit any of our retail outlets and bring along your existing pair of glasses with the lenses, so that we could check the degree and prescribe a new pair of ophthalmic lenses for you.
» Alternatively, we can accept other forms of record of your prescription or degree, such as a doctor’s prescription.
*Please note there may be circumstances where we are unable to check your degree due to scratches or damaged coating on your existing pair of lenses.
Ques 10. Can I change the lenses of my glasses purchased from elsewhere?
» Yes, you can just change the lenses without having to change your existing eye frame. There will be no additional charge for using your frame, but we do advise this is done at your own risk. And we will be asked to sign a small disclaimer, to acknowledge that you are aware of the risk explained. If the eye frame has too many obvious signs of extreme wear and deterioration or any crack, we will advise against the use of the frame. In some cases, we will not accept the frame for reglazing.
