Eye Examinations & Eye Health
Regular eye examinations are vital to detect vision problems and identify eye health issues from early childhood through to advanced age. At Susan Walton Optometrist Newcastle, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. We tailor a vision solution specifically to your lifestyle, work, and leisure habits.
Regular checks for clear vision and long-term eye health
At Specialeyes Newcastle, your eyes are our priority. Regular eye examinations are vital to detect vision problems and identify eye health issues from childhood through to advanced age.
We recommend a comprehensive eye examination every 2 years for adults. These appointments take around 45 minutes and are carried out by our highly experienced optometrist.
What to Expect During an Adult Exam
- Taking a detailed eye and general health history.
- Discussing your lifestyle, work, multi-screen use, and leisure habits.
- Testing visual acuity at various distances to determine your prescription.
- Comprehensive screening for structural abnormalities and acute or chronic eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease.
- Providing lifestyle and diet suggestions that support long-term eye health.
- Discussing tailored options, including glasses, contact lenses, or vision therapy.
Great Vision Starts at an Early Age
Caring for children’s vision protects their development and learning. Our 40+ years of experience means that our team makes sure your child’s examination is a positive, warm, and even a little bit fun experience.
We always recommend that Mum, Dad, or a special carer stay in the consultation room. To avoid distraction, it is helpful if siblings wait in our waiting room to enjoy our toys and books. We also recommend families watch Dr John Abbondanza’s short video explaining Vision Related Learning Problems.
Recommended Exam / Consultation Schedule for Children
- 6 Months: First recommended eye examination – or anytime earlier if a concern is noticed.
- Age 3: Follow-up eye examination.
- Before School: Comprehensive exam before commencing school.
- Every 2 Years: Regular exams during school years (or more frequently if there is a family history of eye issues).
What to Expect During a Children's Exam / Consultation
- Discussing health history and specific concerns.
- Testing binocular vision and eye teaming and tracking.
- Checking for disorders like hyperopia (far-sightedness), myopia (near-sightedness), and amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Measuring prescriptions to determine if glasses are required or need adjusting.
- Discussing vision therapy exercises and good vision habits including use of devices.
- Arranging follow-up care if additional assessment is required.
No one-size-fits-all approach
When your eye examination is completed, we’ll run through our findings with you, taking the time to answer any questions you may have.
At Specialeyes Newcastle, there is no “one size fits all” solution. We pride ourselves on quality care for each patient and tailor a vision solution specifically for your needs.
Technology that helps detect subtle change
Detecting even the slightest change in your eye health can be the key to stopping eye disease in its tracks.
At Specialeyes Newcastle, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art technology to assess your vision and eye health and monitor any changes. Our optometric equipment allows us to comprehensively screen your eyes and can detect the early signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other forms of acute and chronic eye disease.
Optical Coherence Tomography
One of the most valuable tools in diagnosing eye disease. An OCT scan can detect changes in the eye’s structure before you realise anything is amiss, which can literally save your sight. We recommend an OCT scan for all patients over the age of 40. It assesses four important eye structures: the optic nerve, the nerve fibre thickness, the number and thickness of neurological cells at the macula, and the internal drainage system of the eyes.
A photographic record of your eye health
This creates a photographic record of your eye health. Having a baseline photographic record is an indispensable tool for identifying and following up even minor, subtle changes to your retina over time.
At Specialeyes Newcastle, we recommend digital retinal photography to all our adult patients so that we can keep this vital eye health information recorded through digital retinal imaging. This ensures that we can identify and follow up even minor changes to your eye health.
Assessing peripheral vision and blind spots
A non-invasive, easy-to-perform test that assesses extent of your peripheral vision. It identifies limitations and blind spots (scotomas) that can occur due to neurological conditions or diseases like glaucoma.
During your comprehensive eye examination at Specialeyes Newcastle, we may recommend a visual field test to assess your full vertical and horizontal range of vision. This provides us with a baseline from which to assess any future changes in your visual field.
A visual field test is non-invasive and easy to perform. It takes around 30 minutes and again, Susan obtains your results immediately.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We aim to make the process of booking your appointment as simple and stress-free as possible. Whether you are seeking a routine eye examination, a developmental vision assessment, Vision Therapy support, or an Orthokeratology consultation, our team is here to guide you toward the most appropriate care.