What We Do
Eye Care
Eye health is important – at Paterson Burn we care about encouraging good eye health in every sense. To help keep your eyes in great shape we provide a comprehensive eye care service. You’ll receive our optometrist’s expert assistance to provide you with clear vision and good eye health. Plus our team of dispensing opticians and optical assistants will have you seeing and looking great. At Paterson Burn we are committed to providing the highest level of care to each and every one of our clients.
Eye Examination
A comprehensive eye examination is the surest way to identify any vision problems. In addition to utilising the latest technology, our staff has years of experience with a wide variety of eye problems and vision issues. Our ongoing professional development means we truly are up to the minute in the very latest technology, techniques and products.
Is this the first time you've had an eye examination?
Are you feeling a little apprehensive about what will happen, what equipment will be used or your ability to describe the changes you may have noticed? Don’t be! And rest assured, many changes are completely normal and occur with age. Most importantly, they can be rectified or improved.
To find out more watch our video below, or click to learn what's involved in a comprehensive eye examination.
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Adult Eye Exams
The Eye Exam
These are the most common tests performed in an eye exam, but there are others so don’t be alarmed if tests are performed on you that haven’t been mentioned here. Always be sure to provide honest answers so the optometrist can make a proper diagnosis.
Pre-Testing
To ensure that you experience a comprehensive eye examination our trained staff will undertake pre-testing. The pre-tests provide the optometrist with the basics about your vision and eye health, which they will investigate further during the examination. Pre-testing can include automated vision and eye pressure readings, retinal photography, and a peripheral vision screening.
Medical History
It is important that we understand your overall health before beginning the eye examination. In order to cater the exam to your needs we will ask about your general health and about family history of eye diseases.
Visual acuity
The visual acuity test lets us know how well you see without glasses or contact lenses. You will be shown an eye chart and asked what you can see – simple! Adults are shown a letter chart and young children are shown pictures or shapes.
Eye Muscles
The muscles supporting the eye play an important role in your visual abilities. It is important to check for any dysfunction in your binocular vision – especially for children. A simple assessment known as “the cover test” can help your optometrist identify how well your muscles work together, and if there is poor function, how this may affect your need for prescription.
Pupil Function
Pupil function is a quick and simple but very important eye health assessment. The optometrist will assess whether your pupils function similarly using a bright torch. Your pupils should expand or contract at the same rate and to the same size. A difference in pupillary reaction could signal to the optometrist to investigate further.
Slit Lamp Assessment
This test will provide the optometrist with information about your internal and external eye health. The slit lamp consists of a microscope and powerful light source. Using the slit lamp the optometrist will examine the retina, optic nerve and macula inside the eye; as well as the eyelids, iris and cornea at the front of the eye. Cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and corneal ulcers can all be detected using this test.
Refraction
Refraction is your vision assessment. It is the test required to find your exact prescription. To assess your prescription requirements the optometrist uses an instrument called a Phoropter and an eye chart set at 6 metres – optical infinity. The optometrist will work with you to identify which lens power provides you the clearest vision.
Visual Fields
Visual fields, or confrontation, testing helps to detect any central or peripheral vision loss. During the test we are seeking to find any blind spots that may indicate potential medical conditions - It is one of the many tests we use to assess glaucoma risk. The optometrist may want to further assess your peripheral vision and request that you book a Visual Fields examination.
Tonometry
Tonometry measures the fluid pressure inside your eye, known as intraocular pressure – IOP. Tonometry is commonly taken in pre-testing with the “puff of air” test but the optometrist may also take your pressures manually using the Perkin’s test. High eye pressure could indicate an eye health condition and is another important test for patients at risk from glaucoma.
Discussion
Finally, your optometrist will discuss any eye health issues they may have found, and might also suggest additional testing to further evaluate these findings. If you require any visual correction they will discuss the options available to you. If you need or want new glasses the optometrist will consult with one of our dispensing opticians who will then speak with you about different lens and frame options available.
Kids Eye Exams
Looking after your children's eyes
We are aware that children can sometimes be nervous about having an eye examination. Your child may even pretend that there is nothing bothering them about their eyes in order to put off the visit. This is a real shame as the benefits of rectifying children's vision problems is immense.
We recommend that children have a comprehensive eye examination with an optometrist before starting school and regularly as they progress through school. Take notice if your child mentions any concerns about their eyesight and ask their teachers if they have noticed any issues. It is a good idea to request an eye examination for your child if they have difficulty reading, ask to sit at the front of the class or if their grades have fallen away.
Childs Exam
Our examination for children is much the same as our full eye examination for adults. However it is important to adapt the eye exam to suit a child and to make sure that coming to the optometrists is stress-free or even fun! When making an appointment please ask which optometrists specialise in children’s vision.
If your child does have a vision problem we may recommend glasses or we may also suggest further treatment with the Children’s Vision or the Irlens Clinic.
Does your child qualify for a free eye exam under the Enable New Zealand Spectacle Subsidy? If you have a Community Services Card please ask us about the Enable subsidy.
Childrens view of an eye exam at Paterson Burn
Does your child qualify for a free eye exam...
Does your child qualify for a free eye exam under the Enable New Zealand Spectacle Subsidy?
If you have a Community Services Card please ask us about the Enable subsidy.
Our Technology
Nautilus
The Nautilus is a Virtual Reality demonstration tool, released by Essilor, where the patient can experience different lens designs and treatments allowing them to choose their lenses with confidence before purchasing. The immersive experience simulates their future vision, allowing us to recommend the best visual solution for our patients needs.
To try out the Nautilus, book an eye exam with any of our practices here.
Visioffice & Vscope
The Visioffice is a highly sophisticated optical dispensing tool used to take the precise measurements that are required to manufacture modern lens designs. The Vscope is a portable version of the Visioffice tower that works in conjunction with an iPad. To ensure that we can offer you with latest lens designs all of our practices have invested in one of these tools.
Lens Edger
The lens edging machine allows us to cut your lenses into the shape of your new frame. We can get your new glasses to you quicker by having the ability to complete the lens manufacturing process on site. The lens edger is available at our Hamilton practice.
Retinal Camera
The retinal camera is a digital camera set up to take a picture of your fundus – the back of your eye. The photograph taken will provide an image of your retina, optic disc and macula. The image will show any abnormalities that need to be assessed further. If everything looks typical the image will provide a baseline of your normal and we can use it to help assess any future changes.
OCT
The Ocular Coherence Tomographer is a retinal scanner. Other machines only show the surface of the retina but the OCT goes deeper. The OCT is able to take a cross section of the layers that make up the retina. This machine enables the optometrist to measure the delicate structures and any monitor changes. If the optometrist notices an abnormality they are able to refer you to an Ophthalmologist with a confident diagnosis.
Visual Fields Machine
Your visual field consists of two main parts, peripheral vision and the very centre of your vision. The Visual Fields Machine is used to detect the sensitivity of your vision in these areas. The assessment requires your participation to identify whether you see a series of flashing lights of various brightness. Your responses to the test will demonstrate whether your sensitivity is as good as it should be.
Topographer
The corneal topographer is used to map the shape of the cornea – the thin clear cover of the front of the eye. The topography scan can create a 3-D map of your eye which can help the optometrist to better understand your visual difficulties. The topographer is a vital tool for our Ortho K and Speciality Contact Lens clinics.
Warranty
Our Exclusive Two Year Warranty
All frames and lenses purchased at Paterson Burn Optometrists have an exclusive two year warranty.
Should your glasses break under normal wearing conditions, we will repair or replace them at no cost. This warranty does not cover loss or theft. Replacement of glasses is limited to once in the two year period and must be made to the original prescription.
Unlimited Free Cleanings and Adjustments
To help maintain your glasses, we're happy to adjust and professionally clean your glasses free of charge. To keep them fitting properly for as long as you own them.
Insurance Claim
Paterson Burn Optometrists are happy to act on your behalf to make an insurance claim, all you need to do is provide us with the claim number. We then liaise directly with the insurance company so there are no hassles for you to deal with. We will let you know when your replacement glasses are ready to collect. It's that easy.
To have us co-ordinate your claim, contact us today. This is a free service we offer our clients.
How To Take Care Of Your New Glasses
To take care your new glasses, please follow these easy cleaning guidelines.
- Spray your lenses with a lens cleaning fluid
- Wipe dry with a micro fibre cloth
Special lens cleaning fluid and micro fibre cloth are provided free with every purchase of your new glasses.
Most glasses dispensed at Paterson Burn Optometrists have a reflection free coating to protect the lens against scratching whilst giving you the clearest vision possible. Although it offers a harder surface, special care should be given to cleaning your new lenses. Chemical cleaners are too harsh and over time will damage the coating. Proper care will ensure the long life of the coating and your lenses.
