Advanced Eye Tests

Retinal Screening with Zeiss Fundus Camera

Retinal eye scan

Retinal Photography takes a high resolution digital photograph of the retina, looking at the optic nerve, macula (most sensitive part of retina) and all blood vessels within the eye. The test is very quick and painless. It involves sitting in front of the camera and fixating on a set target. With a single flash a digital photograph of the retina is taken. Over time, there are many conditions that can directly affect our eyes and bodies, such as:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Glaucoma
• Age-related macular degeneration

This simple test could save your sight

The eye is the only place in the body where the internal blood vessels can be viewed directly. We look for any abnormalities or changes that may have occurred, and by taking a digital image we can enlarge different sections of the retina to get a more detailed view so even the smallest changes to structures can be monitored and managed more effectively. Over time we will be able to pull forward previous images to compare any changes.

DVLA (approved) Visual Fields

Visual fields is a term used to describe everything you can see straight ahead and to your left and right, whilst your head is pointing straight.

Drivers must have a full visual field to be legal to drive and any effects on the visual field can impair your ability to judge distances correctly. As an official visual field test centre for the DVLA, we carry out an Esterman Visual field test for drivers on behalf of DVLA. We now offer this specific test to you as part of our gold eye examination.

With eye conditions, such as glaucoma, the field of vision is greatly affected and a threshold visual field test is still the best way to monitor the progression of this eye disease. In the intial stages of glaucoma the visual field is constricted and if left untreated can lead to tunnel vision and ultimately blindness.

Visual fields can also be used to identify unexplained headaches and can be used to locate serious conditions like brain haemorrhages or tumours.

Pachymetry - Corneal Thickness Measurement

A pachymeter measures your actual corneal thickness (the thickness of the front of your eye). This is important since the pressures measured with Goldmann Applanation Tonometry assume the cornea is a theoretical average value.

By making an adjustment for your corneal thickness, the TRUE (adjusted) intra ocular pressures can be measured. This test can aid in the early detection of glaucoma. Also it is important for all patients who have had refractive laser eye surgery since their corneas are considerably thinner than the average.

Eye Pressure

Think Blood Pressure! We all have it, but your GP probably raises his eye brow when he thinks yours is too high or too low.

Well it's the same for opticians and the pressure in your eyes, which is called the Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP). If the IOP is consistently high it causes Glaucoma and damages the optic nerve, which can lead to blindness. Goldmann Applanation Tonometry is considered to be the most accurate method of IOP measurement and is used in Eye Hospitals. 

Because of our commitment to clinical excellence in eyecare we use this technique as standard. Goldmann Applanation Tonometry gives a more accurate reading of the IOP compared to the the traditional "puff of air test", but to obtain the TRUE (adjusted) IOP, Pachymetry must also be carried out.

Indirect Ophthalmoscopy

This is the examination of the back of the eyes, and is normally carried out in Eye Hospitals by a Consultant Ophthalmologist. We, too, carry out this technique using a special Volk Lens which gives us a wider view of the back of the eye. 

This lens also allows us to view the peripheral retina more thoroughly as well as giving us a three dimensional image. From this, we can view any raised areas on the retina which isn't possible with the traditional hand-held Ophthalmoscopes used at most High Street Opticians.