sunbather

I'm thinking both in terms of getting a decent test, and also a decent price for glasses. Many thanks.

moneypenny20

Laubman & Pank are a countrywide business and from what I can gather have really good opticians in all their branches. I use them here and considering the troubles I've had with my eyes since birth, I'm really pleased with them. Have heard good things from branches in other parts of the country as well.

Your nearest branches are here.

ozhappy981

Hi moneypen,

from your experience, do Laubman & Pank include the following in their "eye test": glaucoma test (puff into your eyes), field of vision test (click when you see dots on screen), photo taken from inside of your eyes?

Thanks

moneypenny20

Yes Don't know if all branches have the retinal camera thing but mine does. Doesn't take the pic 'from' the inside though Do the rest as standard and bulk billed. You do have to pay for the photo thing though - $40 non refundable.

Dorothy

An air puff tonometer (puff into your eyes) for glaucoma is not a reliable method of checking intraocular pressure. Much more reliable is an applanation tonometer, where the optometrist instills drops to freeze your eyes and uses a device that touches your cornea. At the same time he/she will use fluorescein strips to colour your eyes yellow. This shows any corneal irregularity.

You shouldn't need a visual field test unless there is a medical need. Optometrists who do them are wasting your money, since they are unable to diagnose or treat glaucoma anyway and you would need a referral to an ophthalmologist should they find any other signs of glaucoma. Same for fundus photos. An optometrist is unable to diagnose or treat any retinal problem so again, it's a waste of your money to pay for tests which are unnecessary.

I worked as an ophthalmic technician for nearly 20 years and my job was to conduct tonometry (for glaucoma), visual fields testing (again for glaucoma, brain injury patients and also for monitoring of patients who take certain medications) and taking fundus photos during fluorescein angiography. All of those tests should be done under the supervision of a medically trained ophthalmic specialist.

Just to add...I got my eye check done at Laubman and Pank but they didn't have any frames I liked so got them made at Just Spectacles. Love my glasses!!!

moneypenny20

Most of that went totally over my head but I get the general idea After the puffer test thing, I was told that I was a possible for glaucoma because of the size or shape of whatever they measure. I had been told this in the UK by my life long and very very good optician, so did I want the photo thing so it can be kept an eye on in the future. Since the rest of it is bulkbilled I didn't stress too much about the $40. I figure once every two years or so isn't too bad if it shows anything. If it's not going to then I've only lost $40 but gained some pictures I can show the husband when he's pissing me off as it will likely make him heave

sunbather

Thanks for that, although Dorothy's post has nearly put my off making an appointment

Dorothy

It shouldn't put you off making an appointment. Just make sure that the optometrist does just an eye exam and no unnecessary tests which will only cost you money.

ozhopeful

i'm new to the forum and have been looking for info using the search function and came across this
a fields test is useful for much more than glaucoma detection but a referral for glaucoma without a fields test would be a joke.
fundus photos are also not just for diagnosis and an optometrist can certainly make a diagnosis of a retinal condition, they don't all require referral but may recquire monitoring

you need to trust that the tests are necessary so you need to trust your optometrist but i'm afraid the above statement is a load of #'**


(how to annoy a moderator on your first day)

Dorothy

No, you didn't annoy a moderator. The above is simply the opinion and experience of someone who worked in ophthalmology for 20 years.

Kingseat

I am using OPSM. No problems with them so far.

aussietobe

Bright Eyes at Warwick Shopping Centre (I think thats the name, they are opposite the Post office.) Great servive and prices if you live North.

ozhopeful

that's a bit worrying

Dorothy

What is? That I'm not annoyed or that I worked in ophthalmology?

ozhopeful

that you worked in ophthalmology and that you made the above post, there was no intention to annoy i promise