Every third inhabitant of the planet has vision problems. Most likely, many regret that they did not contact an optometrist and did not pass the test. Timely treatment and correct correction would help them make a difference.
When is an eye test performed?
Toddlers begin to check in the children's clinic. Organized examinations are also held in kindergarten. Mandatory verification before applying to school. An eye examination table is available in every school doctor’s office. When undergoing compulsory medical examinations, adults have to check their eyesight when applying for studies, employment, and also if a driver’s medical certificate is required. There are professions for which mandatory periodic medical examinations are defined (for those working in hazardous working conditions). In this case, a medical examination, including a visit to an optometrist, is organized by the head of the enterprise. So every person is faced with a vision test.
What are they doing in the ophthalmologist’s office?
To determine how well a person sees, there is a table for checking visual acuity. Although this is not the only controlled indicator. As a rule, a nurse or an oculist helps determine visual acuity. This is carried out using special devices, using pictures for children or letters - for adults.
How does the eye test table work? Pupils and adults are tested using the Golovin-Sivtsev method. On the wall in the office is a small drawer with backlighting inside. The brightness of the lamps providing the light must comply with the established standard. The bottom edge of the box must be 120 cm from the floor. Frosted glass closes on the left a table of letters for checking vision, on the right - 12 rows of rings of different sizes, open in a circle. Exactly opposite, 5 meters from the table is a chair for the inspected person. The left check table also consists of 12 rows of letters of the Russian alphabet, decreasing in size from top to bottom. It is recommended to keep your head straight so as not to strain your neck and not look from underneath.
Ophthalmologist's Eye Examination Table - Classic
The vision of each eye is checked separately. They suggest covering another organ of vision with a small shield, without pressing on the eyeball. The nurse, with a pointer, shows the examined letters, starting from the bottom, from the tenth row, and asks to name them. Vertically, the pointer rises to the very top row. Each row has its own digital value for assessing visual acuity from 1.0 (good vision) to 0.1. In addition, the sister shows the letters horizontally in each row. Sometimes a person does not see all the signs of a series.
Thus, the vision test chart allows you to evaluate if you have nearsightedness or farsightedness. If 2 letters are not recognized in the upper four rows and 1 sign in the four under them, visual acuity is considered incomplete. When a person sees poorly, with only the uppermost letters (which corresponds to visual acuity less than 0.1), his chair is brought closer to the table by 0.5 m according to the marks on the wall or on the floor, until he distinguishes the letters. The doctor gives an opinion on the acuity and completeness of vision in each eye. Then he corrects with a set of lenses.
Other methods for checking visual acuity
If it is not possible to set the required distance of 5 meters in the office for examination, the patient is seated closer, and the doctor uses special formulas to calculate the actual indicators of vision. The right table with Landolt rings also allows you to establish visual acuity. This table of vision tests is adapted to cases where the patient either does not know the letters or cannot name them if, for example, he is deaf and dumb. Here you need to indicate with your hand where the gap of the ring is located (right, left, top or bottom). The rings are shown by the medical professional in the same order as the letters. It is believed that the table can be memorized and trick the doctor. Believe me, this is not so. In these cases, the right side of the table also helps the doctor.
How to examine eyesight in preschool children?
To determine the ability to see well in preschoolers, there is a special eye test table for children. By the names of the authors, it is called the Orlova or Oleinikova table. The creators proceeded from the fact that preschool children do not know letters, so they used popular icons or pictures. Working with children requires patient preliminary clarification of what is required of them. It is recommended that you first bring the baby to the table, show pictures and ask them to name, to make sure how correctly he does it. And only then begin to show the images, and in the same order as the adult letters, but slower. Now it is possible to check visual acuity by demonstrating tables with a special projector. This method is already good in that it allows you to identify the problem yourself and make you turn to a specialist. But still, communication with the doctor is much more useful.
Prevention of visual acuity disorders in schoolchildren
It is very important that the child, in spite of the increasing school load, maintain good vision until he reaches adulthood. The following are some tips that your child or you (tips are also relevant for adults) will not gain farsightedness or shortsightedness:
- watch the lighting - it should be bright enough, especially while reading, working at the computer and so on;
- the distance between the TV and the child should not be less than 2-3 meters;
- every 2 hours of working on a computer, reading books and the like, take a break for 10-15 minutes;
- the doctor may also recommend special exercises to strengthen the eye muscles and prevent vision loss;
- take special supplements with vitamin A and lutein, the latter is also a lot in blueberries;
- spend more time outdoors, walk, play sports.
Follow these simple tips, then vision problems will bypass you and your child.