Your Eye Examination
The Process
Much has changed in the last few years here. I have invested over £100,000 in new examination equipment, making your next exam the most comprehensive available in the country.
Your exam will now take around 45 minutes, and we ask all clients to come in around 10 minutes earlier than their appointment time, due to the extensive nature of the tests I now do. If you are late, unfortunately, it is likely you would have to miss your appointment.
When you arrive you will get booked in at reception on the ground floor and your personal details verified.
The first 15 minutes of your exam will be downstairs on the lower ground floor in our specially designated exam room. The tests will be carried out by one of our highly trained Clinical staff who will perform the tests and will send the results up to me. The following examinations will take place in that room:
Optomap retinal mapping. The most sophisticated 3D view of the peripheral retina ever. Brand new to the UK market, there are fewer than 120 of these instruments in the entire country (only 2% of practices have access to one). Painless and quick, it gives me an unrivaled view of the periphery of the back of your eye. If you want more information, click here.
Automated intraocular pressure testing: softer than the previous instrument, giving 3 gentle puffs in each eye.
Peripheral visual field testing.
You will then head back up the stairs and continue to the first floor. There may be a short wait whilst I examine your results before inviting you into the room to continue your consultation. Here I will be doing the vision tests you are familiar with, including OCT 3D imaging of the macula (the part of the central retina where all the light focuses).
All of these tests are included in the usual private exam fee (currently £125) and for those of you with NHS eligibility, it will generally be an optional extra of £100, as the basic NHS test does not allow for OCT imaging nor the new OPTOMAP peripheral retinal scan. I believe both of these are vital to allow me to give you the most accurate information on the health of your eyes. Anything less is clearly second-best.
new clients
If I am seeing you here at Brad Abrahams, for the first time, then it would be incredibly useful for you to bring your latest prescription from your previous opticians and any glasses you are currently wearing when you come to your appointment so that I can have as much information about your ocular history as possible.
Accessibility
The practice is situated over three floors. During the course of your eye examination, you will need to walk up and down two flights of stairs to visit both exam rooms. Due to the design of the building, we are unable to install a lift or a chair lift to assist clients with limited mobility.
the client journey - what to expect
Technology
There are many different ways in which to assess eyesight, and I select the most appropriate to the individual using the latest technology.
In each examination I will use all of the following:
Daytona Plus Scanner - Optos
Provides ultra-high resolution retinal imaging, capturing an Optomap in seconds. Five times more retina is visible, capturing 82% of the retina in one image, including the outer edges of the eye. It rules out numerous issues including retinal diseases, diabetes, and retinal detachment or tears. This is one of the most important pieces of equipment I use in my thorough examination of the health of your eyes, and one of the few optometrists in the region that has one available.
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomographer) - Topcon
The OCT produces a wide-angle high-resolution fundus image in a split second allowing us to rule out macular degeneration and glaucoma.
TRK-2P, Kerato-refractometer, tono-pachymeter - Topcon
The TRK-2P combines a refractometer, a keratometer, a non-contact tonometer, and a pachymeter in one compact instrument. It takes measurements of the eye, records an estimated prescription, and completes an intraocular pressure measurement.
Slit Lamp - Topcon
Used in conjunction with a biomicroscope, it provides a microscopic exam of eyelids, sclera, conjunctiva, iris, and cornea, using a high-intensity light source.
FDT Frequency Doubling Technology - Zeiss
Fast and effective test of your visual field (peripheral vision), a key indicator to rule out glaucoma.