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________Why is an eye examination important and how often do
I need to have my eyes examined?
Your eyesight is precious and you should take care of it. Usually any change
in your vision occurs slowly, so it is important that you have a regular eye
examination. This will detect any potential problems before your vision is
affected. You should have an eye test once every 2 years. This will not only
show if you need glasses but also if there is an underlying health problem
such as Diabetes, Glaucoma etc.
How often should I change my glasses?
You can change them as often as you like. People generally change their glasses
when their prescription alters.
They also choose to change them to alter the style of their appearance.
Medical Questions
How will I know that I have Glaucoma?
You probably won’t know until the later stages of the disease when you
will see a gap in your field of vision. It is important to have a regular
eye check which will detect the early signs of the disease. Unfortunately
any vision lost by this means cannot be restored. However, it only affects
around 2% of the population over 40.
Should I be worried about spots or floaters in my eyes?
Generally these are just a nuisance and you should not worry about them. But
if you notice an increase in their numbers, possible associated with flashes
in your vision, it suggests you might have retinal detachment and you should
seek medical advice immediately.
I am diabetic but my vision is the same.
Why do I need an eye test each year?
Your optometrist can detect signs of change even if you have not noticed any
difference in your eyesight. You can be treated before any damage occurs to
your vision.
How will I know if I have Conjunctivitis?
Your eyes will be itchy, watery and pink. Your eyelids may become inflamed.
There may also be a sticky discharge from your eyes. You should visit your
doctor or optometrist as Conjunctivitis can potentially have complications.
General VDU QuestionsHow long should I use a VDU for?
You should give your eyes regular breaks every 20 minutes. You can relax your
eyes by looking into the distance for a minute before focusing once more on
the VDU screen.
Why have my eyes become worse since I have been using
a VDU?
Using a VDU is visually demanding. The extra demands placed on your eyes causes
you to notice symptoms more than in other work situations.
How can I stop my eyes from becoming tired when I use
the VDU?
Practise relaxing your eyes every 20 minutes. Check that your workstation
is positioned correctly to suit you,
ie with the screen 10-20 degrees below your eye level. If symptoms persist,
have an eye examination.
What lighting is best when using a VDU?
There should be no glare or reflections on the screen. There should not be
a window either directly behind or in front of you. This will ensure that
both contrast and brightness are at a comfortable level. If you feel you do
need extra lighting on your documents, use an angle-poise lamp.
Should I wear my glasses when I use the VDU?
If you usually wear glasses, your eyes will feel more comfortable when you
use them for VDU work. Your optometrist will provide advice on this.
I work a lot on a VDU, what lenses should I have for
my glasses?
Lenses that have an anti-reflection coating are better as they reduce the
glare from the computer screen.
Your optometrist can advise you regarding this.
Why do my contact lenses dry out when I use a VDU? What
can I do about it?
When you concentrate on a computer screen, your blinking slows down. The tears
on which your contact lenses float are not renewed so frequently and as a
result soft contact lenses will dry out. Try blinking regularly and the situation
should improve.
How will I know that I should have an eye test if I use
a VDU?
You should have an eye examination once every 2 years whether you use a VDU
or not. You need to see an optometrist soon if you have any of the following
symptoms:
Eyestrain • Headaches • Dry or watery eyes • Pain in the
eyes • Excessive blinking
Squinting • Blurred vision • Double vision
Should my employer pay for my glasses if I use a computer
at work?
Your employer should pay for a regular eye examination free of charge if you
use a VDU at work. He should only pay for a pair of basic glasses specifically
for VDU work in the office. If you use them at other times outside the office,
your employer does not have to pay for them.
