ADVANCED EYE INVESTIGATIONS
80% of cases of blindness can be prevented through early detection, regular monitoring, and timely treatment. That’s why we provide Advanced Eye Investigations (AEIs), utilising state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and comprehensive tests to safeguard your eye health and preserve your vision.
In addition, our expertise allows us to identify and assess a range of common eye conditions such as dry eyes, myopia and visual stress that, while not sight-threatening, still require specialised knowledge and experience to manage effectively.
At Paul Whiteman Optometrists, we combine hospital grade instrumentation with expert knowledge to detect sight-threatening eye diseases long before symptoms appear. Our Advanced Eye Investigations (AEIs) are tailored for individuals who already have or who are at risk of inheriting eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma or macular degeneration, as well as those at risk of contracting eye disease associated with diabetes or myopia (short sight).
ADVANCED EYE INVESTIGATIONS (AEIs)
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Cataract
Our cataract advanced eye investigation (AEI) exam checks how dense your cataract is, how much it’s affecting your vision and whether you should consider having it removed. We'll also perform an eye scan to rule out other associated eye conditions. We'll take time to discuss and explain all treatments and solutions such as spectacles, tinted lenses and different choices of surgery.
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Glaucoma
Our glaucoma AEI checks your eyes' intraocular tensions (pressure), fields of vision and optic nerve heads using our HEIDELBERG SPECTRALIS 4D OCT Advanced Glaucoma Module. This will allow us to detect any changes since your last exam and where necessary, arrange investigation and possibly further treatment by an ophthalmologist.
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Macular degeneration
1 in 2 cases of serious sight loss is caused by AMD
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is often a hereditary condition and can rob you of your detailed vision for driving and reading.
The earlier AMD is detected the earlier, if necessary, treatment can begin and the better the outcome for your vision. It is for this reason we offer our AMD Advanced Eye Investigation examination (AEI) to ensure we do everything we can to preserve your eyesight.
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Refractive & laser eye surgery
The term refractive eye surgery encompasses not only laser procedures like LASIK and LASEK which correct vision defects such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but also includes cataract surgery and lens exchange surgery. All of these procedures work to provide clear vision whilst reducing or even eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. We are able to advise you on the most appropriate surgery for you and refer you to your chosen surgical centre.
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Flashes & floaters
Floaters are a common patient complaint when visiting our optometrists.
Whilst normally harmless, occasionally, floaters, when associated with flashes of light, can be a symptom of retinal detachment and should be investigated promptly by one of our optometrists or ophthalmologists. Our OPTOS CALIFORNIA ultra-wide retinal camera is the instrument of choice to help detect retinal detachment quickly and easily.
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Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye is a common condition that usually affects both eyes. It can make your eyes feel scratchy or irritated and may make your vision blurry. Dry eye is a chronic (long-term) condition and often means once you've had it, it will come back if it's not managed properly.
Treatment for dry eyes can include eye drops, lifestyle changes, INTENSE PULSED LASER(IPL) therapy and medications such as CYCLOSPORINE (RESTASIS).
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Myopia management
It is said that by 2050 myopia will affect 1 in 2 people*.
Myopia is a common vision condition that is becoming increasingly widespread. . It typically begins in childhood and can worsen during teenage years.
Myopia treatments are called MYOPIA MANAGEMENT and involve wearing specially designed spectacles and contact lenses.
* Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. B Holden et al Ophthalmology 2016.
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Diabetic eye disease
Early detection and treatment can reduce the chance of sight loss for 9 out of 10 people with diabetic retinopathy*.
Nowadays with the advent of advanced imaging technology such as our HEIDELBERG SPECTRALIS 4D OCT and OPTOS CALIFORNIA ultra-wide retinal imaging we can see the smallest changes in your eyes long before you do and much earlier than traditional cameras that have been used in the past including by the NHS Diabetic Screening Service.
* Eyes on Diabetes. WHO - World Diabetes Day campaign, 2016.
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Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a condition in which the normally round cornea (dome-shaped clear window of the eye) progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop. This impairs the ability of the eye to focus properly, potentially causing poor vision.
Keratoconus can be detected and monitored using our ZEISS CORNEAL TOPOGRAPHER.
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Visual stress & dyslexia
Visual stress is a condition that affects many children and adults, causing visual discomfort and perceptual distortions when reading. This can lead to problems with reading fluency, concentration, comprehension and fatigue. Our AES examination investigates the most common factors leading to visual stress.
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Oculomotor imbalance
Oculomotor balance issues affect most of us at some time in our lives. This AES explores the possibility of binocular vision issues that affects our visual comfort and efficiency and looks at ways in which it can be improved with spectacles, contact lenses and eye exercises.
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Low vision
Low vision refers to people with poor vision which requires magnifying or telescope lenses. Typically conditions such as advanced macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can lead to the need for specialist lenses called low vision aids (LVA).
“Early detection and timely intervention are crucial—half of all sight loss cases can be prevented with regular eye examinations. ”
We like to answer your questions
We believe it is important to allow time during your consultation for you to ask questions about your optometrists findings. Time is allocated for questions within your appointment to allow questions, if however, extra time is required we may need to arrange a further appointment either face to face with your optometrist or by telephone. Because this involves practitioner time then this consultation will be chargeable.
Your consultation fee includes all tests and scans listed above for your specific AES. Occasionally, further tests are required which are required if secondary eye conditions are suspected, in which case these will be charged in addition to the basic AES fee.
The aim of our AES examinations is detect and monitor changes in your eye condition. Our team of experienced optometrists will take time to offer advice following your exam and answer any questions you may have.
Our experienced optometrists provide thorough assessments, personalised advice, and take the time to answer any questions you may have. If specialist treatment is needed, we can arrange referrals through our established ophthalmology network or via the NHS.
Many common eye conditions can be identified early on, highlighting the importance of ongoing eye care for everyone.
We have listed a few of the common questions patients ask in the FAQs below.
FAQs - Advanced Eye Investigations (AEIs)
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The aim of performing our advanced investigations is to give us better knowledge of whether there is anything wrong with your eyes or if your eye condition is getting worse. We will always keep you informed of our findings and will advise you if you require any treatment.
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You can choose whether you are referred for treatment within the National Health Service or by a private ophthalmologist.
If you decide to be referred privately then you can choose which ophthalmologist you consult.
If you are referred to the NHS then normally you will have no choice of which eye specialist you see.
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Yes, we will explain all the options open to you for treatment of your eye condition. This will include NHS and private eye care providers.
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If you are being referred for treatment of your eye condition by the NHS then we will always write to your GP who will normally forward our referral report on to the NHS so that an appointment can be made for treatment.
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Waiting times for treatment under the NHS vary widely. It can range from a few weeks to several months to be seen for your initial Hospital assessment and a equal amount of time before your actual operation.
Once we have referred you for treatment by the NHS we have no access to their administrative systems so we are unable to change or advise on appointment progress.
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Yes, you are able to choose which NHS Hospital you are treated by under the provision for Patient Choice.
We would normally advise you to speak with your GP practice once we have written our referral report to them if you wish to request to attend specific Hospital for treatment.
Once we have referred you for treatment by the NHS we have no access to their administrative systems so we are unable to change or advise on appointment progress.
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Normally either the ophthalmologist’s secretary or the NHS eye clinic appointments staff will contact you to arrange a consultation to be seen.
If you have been referred to the NHS this will normally take several weeks for notification of an appointment to arrive either by letter or telephone.
If you have been referred privately you will normally be contacted a few days after the ophthalmologists secretary has received our referral report.
Book an appointment
We offer a number of different appointment types.
If you know what type of appointment you require please press BOOK opposite to use our appointment booking service.
If you are unsure what type of consultation you need, or if you don’t like filling in forms, please telephone our reception staff on 01737 223202 who will help you to book the correct appointment.
APPOINTMENT TYPES AVAILABLE
Eye Examination
Advanced eye investigations (AEIs)
Minor Eye Problem (MEP)
Contact Lens Aftercare Check-up
Contact Lens Tolerance Trial/ Lens RefItting
Bespoke Spectacle Styling Service
Spectacle Frame Adjustment or Repair
(Click above to book an appointment)