Free eye examinations and contact lens appointments for all
FROM October to March, Cardiff University Optometrists offer free eye examinations and contact lens appointments for everyone.
Cardiff University Optometrists is based on Maindy Road and every year the clinic provides a training ground for would-be optometrists, as well as a professional practice open to the general public.
Students work under supervision and thorough eye examinations are carried out free of charge as they train to become first-class optometrists. Patients who undertake the examinations will also receive a 20% discount off their spectacle lenses.
Vision has a huge impact on our lives yet so many of us do not associate eyes with health and do not have a regular eye examination even if we notice changes in our vision.
Regular eye examinations should be as much as part of your routine as a visit to the dentist. An eye examination can save a person’s sight, particularly as in early stages of many eye conditions there may be no symptoms or changes in vision. Anyone can develop sight problems, which is why regular eye examinations are essential.
An eye examination involves a thorough examination of the eye structure, the health of the eye, visual field analysis and internal pressure. As part of its continual commitment to offer the best eye care, the clinic uses the latest specialist equipment and works with researches at the forefront of global research.
“Some people think this free service is just available to students, but we welcome anyone and everyone to have their eyes tested free of charge, and as it is free we get booked up really quickly. Existing contact-lens patients could also have their lenses checked free of charge,” said Emma Daniel-Davies, student clinic manager.
“In place is a system of recording digital images of the back of the eye – allowing you to see what we see”, explained Emma. These can be monitored over time to check the progression of ocular conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Anyone can develop sight problems but it is especially important to look after your eyes if you are over 60 years of age, from certain ethnic groups or from a family with a history of eye disease or diabetes.
The Low Vision Clinic caters for patients with sight problems, and patients do not need a referral providing their vision is at the standard required to warrant a low-vision assessment. This is also conducted free of charge by supervised third-year students and this clinic helps patients to make the best of their remaining vision.
The clinic also works with patients with dyslexia, once diagnosed, and offers a range of treatments including coloured overlays and colorimetry. Being part of the university allows the clinic to offer clinical services traditionally unavailable on the high street. The expertise means it can provide specialist eye care for children and adults with learning disabilities.
The emphasis on the clinic is always communication, so that parents and careers are made fully aware of the patient’s visual abilities and difficulties. Patients are safe in the knowledge that following their eye examination, expert advice is always on hand to discuss the full range of lenses, coatings and frames.
The clinic boasts an extensive range of eyewear to suit all ages and pockets, ranging from babies to fashionconscious teenagers, to budget, complete spectacles to designer frames. The large stock of designer brands includes Ted Baker, Polo, Emporio Armani, Barbour and Rayban as well as a wide range of children’s fun frames.
Alternatively, an eye examination with one of the clinic’s resident optometrists costs £35 (which includes Fundus Camera Photography) or an examination conducted by the pre-registration optometrist (a graduate in their final stage of training) costs £25.
For more information call 029 2087 4357, visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/ optom or call in to browse the frame ranges – there’s limited free parking.