Diagnosis of AMD

Question 1

What is the health professional which assess patients eye?

Answer 1

• A optometrist

Question 2

What will the optometrist do at the opticians appointment?

Answer 2

• They will use a magnifying glass which has a light to look at the back of the eyes to check your vision
• They can put eye drops in your eyes to make it easier for them to spot problems

Question 3

What are the different tests to diagnose AMD?

Answer 3

• Chart tests
• Ophthalmic imaging
• Angiographic tests
• Tonometry test
• Visual field test

Question 4

What happens during chart tests?

Answer 4

• The optician will ask you to read out letters on the chart to assess how good your vision is
• If there is a problem reading the letters the optician will use different lenses and then repeat to see what prescription you need

Question 5

What happens during a ophthalmic imaging?

Answer 5

• Special microscopes are used to look inside your eyes
• They can scan your retina to look for any issues with the retina

Question 6

What happens during angiographic test?

Answer 6

• Measures the blood flow through the eye
• Dye is injected into arm and the progress through the vessels of the eye is recorded using a retinal camera

Question 7

What happens during a tonometry test (eye pressure)?

Answer 7

• A small probe or puff of air is directed at the eyeball
• There is a risk of scratching the lens which can be uncomfortable and painful
• Can be used to measure the pressure inside your eye to help diagnose things such as glaucoma

Question 8

What happens during a visual field test?

Answer 8

• Measures how much you can see out of the corners (peripheral vision) of your eyes
• Can determine whether you have any blind spots in your vision

Question 9

What is the difference between a optometrist and a ophthalmologist?

Answer 9

• Optometrist examines, diagnoses and treats patients eyes
• Ophthalmologists are medically trained doctors which specialise in diseases and injuries around the eye

Question 10

What is a low vision clinic?

Answer 10

• Where your needs are assessed
• The level of your vision will be assessed
• They specialise in helping people with limited vision to optimise their remaining vision