Eyecare

VISION IS PRICELESS

Eyecare

A Detailed Examination

At Clear Optometry, you will receive a comprehensive and detailed examination of the health of your eyes, a thorough assessment of your vision, and clear advice, tailored to your particular needs and circumstances. Located in Bargara, we service the entire Coral Coast and Bundaberg region, with patients all the way from Childers to Agnes Water.

Eye Test - Clear Optometry In Bargara, QLD

Front View Of Phoropter - Clear Optometry In Bargara, QLD

Which Tests Are Included in Your Eye Health Assessment?

Your initial eye examination will take about 45 minutes, and typically includes the following tests:

Digital retinal photography - checking the ‘back’ of the eyes
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - a deeper examination of the retinal layers
Tonometry - measuring intra-ocular pressure, which is important for diagnosing glaucoma
Keratometry/auto-refractometry - used for fitting contact lenses and helpful for children’s examinations
Binocular vision testing - checking how well your eyes work ‘as a team’
Subjective refraction - determining whether glasses or contacts will help you and determining the best correction
Slit lamp examination - examining the ‘front’ of the eye, including the cornea, lens, lids, etc

When indicated, a range of other tests may be performed, such as:

Dilated fundus examination - using drops to open the pupils wider, for a better view
Colour vision testing
Dry eye assessment
Removal of ingrown eyelashes
Foreign body removal

Plus a host of others.

Our qualified and experienced optometrist will determine the exact tests required to ensure you receive a comprehensive eye health assessment, tailored to your specific needs and symptoms.

If you have any questions about our assessments, feel free to call us to discuss.

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What Is Digital Retinal Photography?

This is a process which provides an in-depth view of your retina, including blood vessels, the optic nerve, and the macula. This is a crucial part of your eye health assessment and allows us to keep track of changes that might occur over time.

At Clear Optometry, we use a high-resolution Canon instrument for retinal photography, and securely store all your digital retinal images for future comparison.

Retina - Clear Optometry In Bargara, QLD

Optical Coherence Tomography — Clear Optometry In Bargara, QLD

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

OCT provides a deeper, even more detailed view of the eye than digital retinal photography. Using a special wavelength of light, the OCT scanner can provide accurate and precise 3D images of the delicate tissues of the eye, assisting greatly with the early detection and assessment of diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.

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Tonometry – A Test for Glaucoma

Tonometry measures the pressure inside the eye (the intraocular pressure, or IOP), which is important in diagnosing, monitoring and treating glaucoma. At Clear Optometry, we use two complimentary and painless methods to measure this important value:

Contact/Perkins tonometry - the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops, before a small probe is gently placed on the cornea, to provide a pressure reading.
Non-contact tonometry – rather than a probe, the pressure is measured using a gentle puff of air. No anaesthetic is required.

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Tonometry - Clear Optometry In Bargara, QLD

Why Is Binocular Vision Testing Important?

These tests are designed to assess how well your eyes work together as a team. Binocular vision problems can lead to a host of symptoms, such as headaches, poor concentration, blurriness and sometimes even double vision. Based on the results of these tests, we can assess whether you may benefit from vision training or corrective lenses, or even some simple advice on improving your visual environment and habits.

Patients of all ages can benefit from binocular vision testing, but it is particularly crucial for children, as their visual system is still developing and so much of their learning is sight-based. We recommend all children have their eyes tested prior to starting school or even earlier if parents have any concerns.

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How Can A Slit Lamp Examination Help?

The slit lamp is effectively a binocular, biological microscope, which provides the optometrist with a magnified view of the frontal structures of the eyes, including the lens, the iris, the lids and the cornea. This can help to diagnose and monitor problems such as eye infections, corneal dystrophies, allergies, cataracts and many, many more. Also, when combined with a device known as a fundus lens, the slit lamp provides a detailed 3D view of the retina.

Other Tests Include:

Dilated fundus exam - eye drops are used dilate the patient’s pupils, which provides the optometrist with an improved view of the retina. This test can help to detect retinal detachments and tears and is also used for diabetic eye examinations, as people with diabetes have an increased risk of retinal problems. The drops typically last several hours and can cause blurred vision and glare-sensitivity, so patients are advised to bring sunglasses and avoid driving until the effects wear off.
Visual field test – this is a test of the peripheral vision and is an important part of detecting and monitoring diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and a host of others.
Subjective refraction – for this test, the optometrist shows the patient multiple images through a range of different lenses and by asking a series of questions, is able to determine the prescription that will provide the optimal vision correction.
Keratometry/auto-refractometry – our advanced Nidek Tonoref II instrument delivers an accurate approximation of the spectacle prescription. That helps us to shorten the subjective refraction and is also particularly useful when examining young children. This instrument also measures corneal curvatures, which are useful for fitting contact lenses.

Book an appointment today to have your vision and eye health checked by a local, experienced optometrist.

Book Now

Eyecare in Bargara

A Detailed Examination

An older man is getting his eyes examined by an ophthalmologist.

Which Tests Are Included in Your Eye Health Assessment?

Your initial eye examination will take about 45 minutes, and typically includes the following tests:

Digital retinal photography - checking the ‘back’ of the eyes
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - a deeper examination of the retinal layers
Tonometry - measuring intra-ocular pressure, which is important for diagnosing glaucoma
Keratometry/auto-refractometry - used for fitting contact lenses and helpful for children’s examinations
Binocular vision testing - checking how well your eyes work ‘as a team’
Subjective refraction - determining whether glasses or contacts will help you and determining the best correction
Slit lamp examination - examining the ‘front’ of the eye, including the cornea, lens, lids, etc

When indicated, a range of other tests may be performed, such as:

Dilated fundus examination - using drops to open the pupils wider, for a better view
Colour vision testing
Dry eye assessment
Removal of ingrown eyelashes
Foreign body removal

Plus a host of others.

Call Now

A close up of an ophthalmoscope on a white background.

What Is Digital Retinal Photography?

A close up of a person 's eye with a circle around it.

An ophthalmologist is examining a patient 's eye with a machine.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Call Now

Tonometry – A Test for Glaucoma

Contact/Perkins tonometry - the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops, before a small probe is gently placed on the cornea, to provide a pressure reading.
Non-contact tonometry – rather than a probe, the pressure is measured using a gentle puff of air. No anaesthetic is required.

Book Now

A woman is getting her eyes examined by an ophthalmologist.

A close up of a woman 's eye with an eye chart in the background.

Why Is Binocular Vision Testing Important?

Call Now

How Can A Slit Lamp Examination Help?

Other Tests Include:

Dilated fundus exam - eye drops are used dilate the patient’s pupils, which provides the optometrist with an improved view of the retina. This test can help to detect retinal detachments and tears and is also used for diabetic eye examinations, as people with diabetes have an increased risk of retinal problems. The drops typically last several hours and can cause blurred vision and glare-sensitivity, so patients are advised to bring sunglasses and avoid driving until the effects wear off.
Visual field test – this is a test of the peripheral vision and is an important part of detecting and monitoring diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and a host of others.
Subjective refraction – for this test, the optometrist shows the patient multiple images through a range of different lenses and by asking a series of questions, is able to determine the prescription that will provide the optimal vision correction.
Keratometry/auto-refractometry – our advanced Nidek Tonoref II instrument delivers an accurate approximation of the spectacle prescription. That helps us to shorten the subjective refraction and is also particularly useful when examining young children. This instrument also measures corneal curvatures, which are useful for fitting contact lenses.

Book an appointment today to have your vision and eye health checked by a local, experienced optometrist.

Book Now

Eyecare in Bargara

A Detailed Examination

Which Tests Are Included in Your Eye Health Assessment?

Your initial eye examination will take about 45 minutes, and typically includes the following tests:

Digital retinal photography - checking the ‘back’ of the eyes
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - a deeper examination of the retinal layers
Tonometry - measuring intra-ocular pressure, which is important for diagnosing glaucoma
Keratometry/auto-refractometry - used for fitting contact lenses and helpful for children’s examinations
Binocular vision testing - checking how well your eyes work ‘as a team’
Subjective refraction - working out whether glasses or contacts will help you and determining the best correction
Slit lamp examination - examining the ‘front’ of the eye, including the cornea, lens, lids, etc

When indicated, a range of other tests may be performed, such as:

Dilated fundus examination - using drops to open the pupils wider, for a better view
Colour vision testing
Dry eye assessment
Removal of ingrown eyelashes
Foreign body removal

Plus a host of others.

Call Now

What Is Digital Retinal Photography?

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Call Now

Tonometry – A Test for Glaucoma

Contact/Perkins tonometry - the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops, before a small probe is gently placed on the cornea, to provide a pressure reading.
Non-contact tonometry – rather than a probe, the pressure is measured using a gentle puff of air. No anaesthetic is required.

Book Now

Why Is Binocular Vision Testing Important?

Call Now

How Can A Slit Lamp Examination Help?

Other Tests Include:

Dilated exam - eye drops are used dilate the patient’s pupils, which provides the optometrist with an improved view of the retina. This test can help to detect retinal detachments and tears and is also used for diabetic eye examinations, as people with diabetes have an increased risk of retinal problems. The drops typically last several hours and can cause blurred vision and glare-sensitivity, so patients are advised to bring sunglasses and avoid driving until the effects wear off.
Visual field test – this is a test of the peripheral vision and is an important part of detecting and monitoring diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and a host of others.
Subjective refraction – for this test, the optometrist shows the patient multiple images through a range of different lenses and by asking a series of questions, is able to determine the prescription that will provide the optimal vision correction.
Keratometry/auto-refractometry – our advanced Nidek Tonoref II instrument delivers an accurate approximation of the spectacle prescription. That helps us to shorten the subjective refraction and is also particularly useful when examining young children. This instrument also measures corneal curvatures, which are useful for fitting contact lenses.

Book an appointment today to have your vision and eye health checked by a local, experienced optometrist.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Will having an eye examination be uncomfortable?

Not at all. Most standard tests will include a check of the pressure in the eyes, which involves blowing a gentle puff of air onto the cornea, and other tests involve bright lights, but these are certainly not painful or even uncomfortable.

How often should I have my eyes tested?

The answer to this depends on your age and whether you have any risk factors (such as a family history) for problems such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. In general, it’s best not to go more than two years without an eye test, or one year if you’re over 65. Your optometrist will be able to provide you with a personalised recommendation as to when your next test should be.

At what age should children have their eyes tested?

Children should have their eyes tested prior to starting school, to ensure there are no visual problems that may interfere with the learning process. The age of four is an ideal time for their first eye test, but tests can be performed at earlier ages if parents have any concerns.

If I require glasses or contact lenses, can I claim on them through my health fund?

Yes, we have HICAPs on the spot claiming, available for all health funds.

If I’m seeing well, do I still need to have my eyes tested?

Most definitely. Many conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, may have no symptoms in their early stages. An eye test is the best way to discover conditions such as these, ideally before they start to cause you trouble.

Can you advise me on whether I’m suitable to have surgery to correct my vision?

Yes. Our optometrist has many years of experience in both pre and post-operative assessments for people who are interested in refractive surgery.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Any current glasses (including sunglasses, prescription or otherwise), your Medicare card, any private health fund card or concession cards, and if you take any medications you may like to bring a list of these (some medications can have an impact on your eyes and vision).

What sort of symptoms suggest I may have an eye problem?

Possible symptoms are many and varied, but can include blurred vision, difficulty changing focal lengths, sore eyes or headaches, poor concentration, excessive blinking or eye rubbing and difficulty with driving, particularly at night. However, don’t forget that some eye conditions have no symptoms in their early stages, so it’s important to have a regular eye test even if your eyes feel fine.

Can I have my prescription in sunglasses?

In almost all cases, the answer is yes, and this is something we encourage, as the Australian sun is very harsh and can contribute to a whole range of eye problems.

Can you prescribe contact lenses?

Yes, we provide a comprehensive range of contact lenses, along with all the consultations and expertise required to make sure they are comfortable and clear.

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