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Free Eye Testing Vs Paid Eye Testing

Free Eye Testing Vs Paid Eye Testing

In today's day and age, there are Numerous Opticians and Optical Chains, Most of them offer Free Eye Testing as it is a new trend. Free Eye Testing Sounds Good, Works Great for Marketing and Attracts Customers, But have you ever given a thought on why and how are they able to provide this service for free? Lets dive deeper.

Nothing is free and Everything has a cost, same policy applies here. Eye Testing is a service based industry, Qualified Optometrists spend years getting proper education and hands on training to be able to provide this service. 'Due to the rise in technology and advanced machines in the optical field, Customers and even some Eye-wear Retailers feel that since, an 'Auto Refracto-meter', is able to give a persons power instantly with above 80% accuracy, why does someone need to go to an optometrist. Our Salesperson knows how to work a Smartphone, Tablet as well as a Computer, they are qualified enough to work with a Refractometer as well. NO. This is far from the truth.' A difference of 20% in your eyesight hugely impacts your eye health, not to mention it also effects your posture, your driving, your reading habits, and much more. (Click Here to know the long term impact of wearing wrong eye power)

Eyewear is predominantly a Health-Care field, then a Fashion Industry. Focusing only on the trending frames, brand and colors while ignoring the quality of eye testing and lenses is the biggest mistake we as retailers see customer make.

Free eye testing is often offered by community organizations, government programs, and some eyewear retailers/chains. However, free eye testing comes with limitations. The tests may not be as comprehensive as a paid eye exam, and the equipment used may not be as advanced. This can lead to missed diagnoses or incomplete assessments of eye health. Additionally, follow-up care may not be as readily available.

Paid eye testing is typically offered by licensed optometrists or ophthalmologists in private clinics or legacy opticians. The primary advantage of paid eye testing is that it provides a more comprehensive and thorough examination of the eyes and visual system. Eye doctors who perform paid eye exams use advanced equipment to assess the patient's eye health, visual acuity, and other factors such as eye muscle coordination, binocular vision, and peripheral vision. This can lead to earlier detection of eye diseases or vision problems and a more accurate prescription for corrective lenses.

If you want a comprehensive eye exam that can detect potential eye diseases or vision problems, paid eye testing by a licensed eye care professional may be the better choice.

What is the difference between an Optometrist and a person just using an 'Auto-Refractometer'?

An optometrist is a trained eye care professional who performs comprehensive eye exams, diagnoses eye conditions, and prescribes corrective lenses, among other things. During an eye exam, an optometrist uses various techniques, including retinoscopy and subjective refraction, to measure a person's refractive error accurately. They also evaluate other aspects of eye health, such as eye muscle coordination, binocular vision, and peripheral vision, to ensure that the patient has optimal vision and eye health.

An auto refractometer is a computerized tool that measures a person's refractive error quickly and objectively. It uses infrared light to measure the curvature of the eye's surface and produces a reading of the person's refractive error. An auto refractometer is a useful tool in screening large numbers of people quickly, such as in schools or health fairs, but it is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The readings from an auto refractometer may need to be confirmed or adjusted by an eye care professional, and the device does not evaluate other aspects of eye health, such as eye muscle coordination or the health of the retina.

In summary, while an auto refractometer is a useful tool for measuring refractive error quickly and objectively, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye care professional evaluates other aspects of eye health, such as eye muscle coordination and binocular vision, and ensures that the patient has optimal vision and eye health.

How often should you have your eyes tested?

Adults (without existing or known eye problems) should have their eyes tested regularly:
  • between the ages of 20 and 39 at least three times during this period
  • from the age of 40 onwards: once every 2-3 years
  • from the age of 65 onwards every 1-2 years.
Children should have their eyes tested regularly by an optometrist:
  1. First examination: between the ages of 2 and 3 1/2 at the latest
  2. Second examination: before they start school
  3. Then every two years – even if they have no obvious eye problems – to ensure that the early warning signals of any deterioration in their vision are detected at an early stage.
  4. All premature babies and all children whose parents or siblings have squints or have highly defective vision should be examined as early as possible – between the ages of 6 and 12 months – and then regularly afterwards.

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