Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about our eye care services? We’ve got answers. Scroll down to view many of the FAQ relating to the Menai Eye Care clinic.
Phone Us
(02) 9543 1166
Visit Us
Suite 8, 62-70 Allison Crescent, Menai.
Menai Metro Shopping Complex
Connect With Us
First-Time Patient?
Call (02) 9543 1166
What to expect at your visit.
At Menai Eye Care our focus is on delivering the thorough, personalised eyecare assessments that your family deserves.
We typically allow 30 minutes for your consultation.
During a routine eye examination you can expect our optometrists to undertake any or all of the below:
- Patient history – including your main reasons for coming in, your general health, your past ocular history and your family history.
- Vision testing – to ascertain the clarity of your distance and near vision
- Pupil testing – to screen for neurological problems
- Eye muscle testing
- Spectacle refraction – to determine your prescription for distance, intermediate (computer) or reading spectacles, bifocal or multifocal (progressive) lenses
- Eye focussing assessment – to determine your requirements for reading
- Binocular vision – to assess how your eyes work together and to measure the degree if present, of double vision
- Ocular health- including eye pressures, cataract assessment, testing for macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (associated with diabetes) and other ocular pathologies
- Colour vision testing
- Our practice is equipped with machines that image the retina- they are particularly useful for macula testing
Sometimes you might need a little more from us, or we may need to do further testing. This could include:
- A behavioural optometry assessment including a visual perceptual assessment
- Assessment of a patient’s suitability for contact lenses, including determination of an appropriate contact lens prescription and trialing of contact lenses
- Visual field testing
- Determination of suitability for refractive laser surgery
- Assessment for safety glasses
- Prescribing for sports vision requirements
- Dilated Pupil Retinal Examination
Sometimes, the level of care you need requires us to extend the time we spend assessing your vision, or performing specialty tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Bifocal lenses?
Bifocal lenses offer two prescriptions within the single lens. The prescription for focusing on distant objects takes up the top portion of the lens, while the bottom half of the lens is used for correcting the wearer’s near vision. A visible line or curve can be seen dividing the two different types of lenses.
What are Trifocal lenses?
Trifocal lenses serve a similar purpose to bifocal lenses, however they also provide an area of the lens specifically designed to help correct intermediate viewing. Trifocal lenses additionally provide areas within the lens for distant and near viewing correction. Unlike progressive lenses, trifocals have a visible line that separate the three distinct lenses.
What are Progressive lenses?
Progressive lenses are in fact multifocal lenses that provide unified progression for near, intermediate, and distant vision. For example, an individual wearing progressive lenses would be able to clearly see an object across a room, while also being able to read a novel, without having to change glasses.
Are contact lenses safe?
Contact lenses themselves are extremely safe, provided they have been properly prescribed by a trained optometrist. The biggest risk associated with wearing contact lenses are hygiene related.
Eye infections can occur when proper care is not taken when handling contact lenses. You must thoroughly wash and dry your hands and make sure that the solution and case that store the lenses are clean and free from bacteria.
Furthermore, it is paramount that individuals abide by the wearing and disposal schedule for their lenses – those who go over the recommended wearing time are more likely to suffer complications with their contact lenses.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma has no symptoms, making it a silent cause of vision loss. We investigate and monitor for glaucoma with a range of examinations including:
- Intra-Ocular Pressure Measurement – using a computerised machine which does not require drops
- Visual Field Analysis – a computerised Humphrey Analyser is used to measure your peripheral or side vision
- Pachymetry – which measures the thickness of your cornea (front of the eye), as this may change intra-ocular pressure readings
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – gives a very accurate three-dimensional scan of the optic nerve, measuring the nerve layer thickness. This measurements can be compared at each consultation.
What are Single vision lenses?
What are Multifocal lenses?
Unlike single version lenses, multifocal lenses are designed to have multiple prescriptions built into one lens. This enables the spectacles to be utilised for various purposes such as driving and reading. Multifocal lenses are generally referred to as progressive lenses.
Can children wear contact lenses?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question as there are several factors that determine whether a child is suitable for wearing contact lenses. No two children are alike, and their daily routines will shape whether contact lenses are appropriate for them.
Children who take part in sporting activities, dancing and gymnastics can benefit from contact lenses rather than glasses. Contact lenses may also be used to control myopia progression in at-risk children. One of our experienced optometrists can discuss this further with at your appointment.
Are contact lenses better than glasses?
There is no ‘right’ answer for this question. There are a number of facts that should help determine if an individual is more suitable for wearing glasses or contact lenses.
What are the benefits of wearing contacts?
- Freedom of vision with no limitations by the spectacle frame
- Glasses can get in the way of sporting and physical activities
- Glasses are expensive to replace if lost or damaged
Many people choose to use both contact lenses and glasses interchangeably. This gives them more flexibility and choice, while providing them with the benefits of both solutions.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
- Your current glasses and/or contact lenses
- A list of any prescribed medications that you take
- If you want your contact lenses to be checked please come wearing them.
- If you want a new prescription for glasses but also wear contact lenses please wear your glasses (at least for a few hours beforehand) but bring your contact lenses so we can check them too
- Your Medicare card any private health insurance card
Is there anyone else at home that might need their eyes tested too? Now that you have decided to have an eye test, can you think of anyone else at home who should have their eyes examined as well? Word of mouth recommendations have allowed us to grow our practice and we love seeing and being able to assist friends and family of our existing patients. We are forever grateful to patients who help spread the word to family and friends.
What's involved in a Diabetic eye examination?
