16/05/2025
With the recent narrative online in South Africa where "influencers" are discouraging people from getting their eyes tested and instead using an old prescription to get new glasses online:
Here are the reasons NOT to use an old prescription to make up a new pair of spectacles and **reasons to visit your optometrist to get a new eye test**:
1. Your eyes are constantly changing. You may not notice the gradual change in your vision, but your optometrist will keenly pick up on even the slightest change.
2. If you are experiencing headaches, a new pair of glasses with an old prescription may not resolve the headaches.
3. If you vision is blurry with your old glasses, you will still have blurry vision if you use the same old prescription to make your new spectacles.
4. Your eye test is a comprehensive exam that not only looks at the lenses you may need to better your vision, but also looks at the general health of your eyes. We assess the different structures in your eyes including the cornea, conjunctiva, lens, iris and retina.
5. We can pick up untreated systemic diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure in your eyes and refer you to the relevant specialists.
6. We customize the fit of your chosen frame and fit the lenses in accordance to it fitting on your face by matching your pupil point to the point your eyes are situated on the frame. This ensures precise fitting and optimal vision.
7. We adjust your glasses to sit straight on your face even when your ears are crooked.
8. We assess your visual fields to make sure diseases such as glaucoma are not affecting your driving ability or making your blind spots bigger (thus keeping you and other drivers safe on the road).
9. We assess your cornea to see that you are not over wearing your contact lenses which causes infections, hypoxia or growth of new blood vessels where they should not grow.
The list could go on. Your optometrist is there to assist in all your visual needs and will refer you to a specialist if needed. Don't negate the importance of your optometrist. We are not just selling you spectacles. We are helping you live better.
