Welcome to Risna Heyns
Oogkundiges
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Risna Heyns
Oogkundiges
How often should I test my eyes?
Most eye care expert recommend that you should test your eyes every one to two years. It also depends on your age, risk factors, current corrective lenses and possible eye diseases.
Early detection, through regular and complete eye exams, is key to protect and prevent eye diseases, for example glaucoma.
Generally babies should have their first eye exam at 6 months of age and again at age 3.
For children it’s important to assess the visual system before the start of school, to be ready to learn. After the first eye exam, it will be advised how often a child must have his eyes tested.. Mostly annually.
For adults (age 18 – 60) it’s recommended to have their eyes tested every two years.
Annual exams for seniors older than 61 and any other patients with eye diseases or contact lens wearers.
What is Dry Eye?
If you have burning, stinging, dry, red or teary eyes, it might be Dry Eye symptoms.
If vision becomes blurry and improves on blinking, it might also be Dry Eye symptoms.
Dry Eye can be caused by many different conditions.
Sometimes the eye doesn’t produce enough tears, or it evaporates too quickly. The tearfilm can also be insufficient.
Different types of dry eye must be treated differently.
How to insert eye drops?
Tilt the head back and look upwards. Pull lower lid down. Eyeball or eyelids mustn’t come in contact with applicator tip. Insert 1 drop, close eye for few seconds and insert second drop 5 minutes later, if needed.
What is AMD? (Age-related macular degeneration)
AMD affects the macula, that is the area in the eye that is responsible for central vision. It also allows you to see fine details clearly.
Symptoms includes blurred vision, dark spots, difficulty reading small print.
Risk Factors – age, family history, smoking, poor diet, obesity, unchecked cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, excessive sunlight.
What is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. It’s a common condition that is often the underlying case of eye discomfort, redness, irritation, itchiness and watering.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a complicated disease which damages the optic nerve. It can lead to irreversible vision loss. Eye pressure plays a role in damaging the optic nerve. Early detection is very important.
What is Myopia?
Nearsighteness, short-sighted, or myopia is a refractive error, not an eye disease or eye health problem. Close objects appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry. Light focuses in front of the retina, causing a blur. Minus lenses is required to focus light on the retina. Eye might be elongated.
What is Hyperopia?
Farsighteness, Long-sightedness or Hypermetropia is a refractive error, not an eye disease or eye health problem. Light focus behind retina, causing a blur. Plus lense is required to focus light on the retina. Can be due to small, short eye.
What is Astigmatism?
Like Myopia an Hyperopia, Astigmatism is a refractive error, not an eye disease or eye health problem. It is caused by the shape of the cornea and intra-ocular lens. This changes the way light passes, or refracts, to the retina, causing distorted images.
What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a age-related condition and it is caused by the loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye. Presbyopia usually occurs around age 40. People will experience blurred near vision, example, when reading.
Contact Lenses
Hints for Contact Lens Wearers
- Contact lenses should never be in contact with water.
- Only use prescribed contact lense solution.
- Always wash and dry hands before handling contact lenses.
- Remove lens immediately if irritation occurs or eye becomes red and uncomfortable.
- Never wear contact lenses that are torn or damaged
- Carefully follow handling, insertion, removal and wearing instructions prescribed .
- Always consult your eye care practitioner if you experience any problems or discomfort.
- Do not apply eye drop or eye medication without consulting your eye care practitioner.