| Services |
| THE EYE EXAMINATION Our Optometrists can determine the spectacle correction required to improve your distance and reading vision or to improve your vision for other hobbies and tasks, such as computers, DIY, Sport, music etc. We can detect eye diseases and whether they require treatment from the patient's GP or onward referral to an eye specialist. We also advise the GP as to the urgency of the referral. All MKO branches have sophisticated eye-testing equipment that helps the diagnosis of these conditions. Thorough eye examinations can also reveal systemic conditions: most commonly blood pressure, diabetes, and more rarely, raised intra-cranial pressure. There are several categories of patients who are exempt from charges. They include:
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| DIABETIC RETINOPATHY Diabetic Retinopathy refers to damage to the back of the eye (retina) caused by diabetes. It is a condition, which tends to progress slowly, at first without causing any visual symptoms: This is called background retinopathy. It is characterised by blockage of small blood vessels. Other blood vessels dilate to compensate and they can become leaky and fluid accumulates at the macula, the centre of vision: diabetic maculopathy. This is the commonest form of visual loss in older diabetics. When there are large areas of blocked blood vessels the response is growth of new vessels, which is known as proliferative retinopathy and is another cause of visual loss. Background retinopathy requires no treatment. Eye surgeons can treat proliferative retinopathy and maculopathy with a laser. In order that sight threatening changes can be detected and treated before vision is lost it is essential that people with diabetes have the back of their eyes examined at least once a year. So if you have diabetes and are not attending the hospitals then come and see us. |
| GLAUCOMA SCREENING Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve is damaged. In the worst cases, the damage can lead to blindness, but this need not happen if glaucoma is detected and treated early. The most common type, called open angle glaucoma (or chronic simple glaucoma), affects around two in every hundred people over the age of 40, and becomes more common with increasing age. We screen for Glaucoma as part of the eye examination or we may call patients back specifically to screen them. The 3 main tests for glaucoma screening are:
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| SAFETY EYEWEAR We are able to supply industrial spectacles; either plastic or metal frames with single vision, bifocal or varifocal lenses, all at competitive prices. For more details email: admin@mko.co.uk. |
| CONTACT LENS CHECK UPS All Contact lens check-ups are free of charge for our disposable lens wearers who pay by direct debit , for other wearers charges apply. Contact lens checks are required at least once a year and replacement lenses can now legally only be ordered from a prescription that is no older than a year, or even less for some types. The check involves:
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| COMPUTER EYES Visual Display Unit (VDU) Screening - Martyn Kemp Opticians have a portable eye screener that we take to companies to screen all their employees. There is NO CHARGE for this. Employees who "fail" the screening test are then referred to any MKO branch for a full eye examination. For further details: email: admin@mko.co.uk |
| AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION The macula is the part of the back of the eye that gives you your clear, detailed central vision. Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is when the macula wears out - usually with old age, but not always. It is the greatest cause of loss of vision in the over 50's. It doesn't cause complete blindness. You are still able to get around. There are two types "dry" and "wet". The "dry" type is typified by a gradual drop in vision. It is not treatable but can be helped with stronger reading spectacles or magnifiers. The "wet" type causes rapid loss of vision. Early detection is essential, when it can sometimes be treated. If you notice deterioration of your vision you need to have your eyes checked immediately; don’t delay it for even a day. ARMD does not cause total blindness; peripheral vision is still maintained enabling people to remain mobile. Current recommendations to help maintain healthy eyes are:
A healthy macula requires something called Lutein, which is found mainly in spinach and also in sweetcorn and kale. It is also available as a Dietary supplement in the form of tablets called Macushield. They are available from any branch of Martyn Kemp Opticians. |
OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE:
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