what happens at the eye test?

[eat2live]

Hi Friends

well its my turn tomorrow, and to be honest if it wasnt for my hubby making me go i think i would have cancelled, silly i know but logic goes out of the window when your scared

being agarophobic isnt making it any easier,
if i thought they wouldnt be using the drops i think i would feel better,

but the thought of the blurryness inderring my sight is the most scarriest thing for me...seems to take my control away...this may not make any sense to anyone else, but very reel to me.

hate to think that someone in the waiting room will be waiting for their drops to take effect , if i hear anything negative ...i will be off!!
this is my 1st eye test for diabetes...i get myself in a tiss at the opticions when they put that thing over your eyes for an ordanary eye test

i'm such a wimp but as i say the agarophobia doesnt help any situation for me,
i take diazepam for anxiety, so that might help a bit,

can anyone explain to me please the procedure from going in the door please??
luckly for me this is taking place at my GPs surgery its a mobile eye clinic!

sorry for moaning..but its really freaking me out!! the drops!!! the blurryness, can you feel the drops taking effect once they have been put in?

thanks so much xx

 

[Natalie123]

Hi, I know how you feel, I think, it sounds similar to how I feel. My experiences so far have been:

Go in, check in, wait to be called in by a lovely lady (only took 2 mins max). I told her I was terrified and skaking and felt sick, she looked at my eyes and said I wouldn't need drops anyway. They did a general eye test (look at a board with letters on and read them in different sizes. I was then taken to the opposite room where they rested my chin in front of the camera, they asked me to look at a small green dot, a light flahes and it is done. They repeat for the other eye, give you a rest and possibly repeat at a different angle. They then have a quick look at the images and give you any preliminary feedback if they can.

My main advice would be to explain your fears like you have to us. They should be able to try without the drops, even if the pic is not quite as good it is better than nothing, and then perhaps the following year you might feel better about trying with the weak strength drops if you need them.

Also, have you seen anyone about your phobia? I tried CBT for needle phobia, it helped a bit

 

[eat2live]

Hi Natalie

thanx for that, i might ring them up and see what they say.

yes i am getting out and about but these times dont help, xx

 

[Northerner]

There really isn't much to the actual test, it's just a minute or so with your chin resting on a stand whilst they take a couple of pictures. If you need the drops then they sting a little when put in and may make your eyes water, but this rapidly fades. Don't worry too much about the blurriness, it's not what you are probably expecting. It's more to do with how bright things can appear, and difficulty in focussing on things like a newspaper. Apart from this kind of thing your vision is pretty normal - you just need to wear sunglasses to reduce the brightness. Imagine how it feels if you go to the cinema to see a film on a sunny day, and how bright everything seems when you step back outside after your eyes have become accustomed to the dark - just like that really! 🙂

 

[Natalie123]

Hi Natalie

thanx for that, i might ring them up and see what they say.

yes i am getting out and about but these times dont help, xx

Try phoning them but bear in mind that you will be speaking to a receptionist for a very wide area and they are often not as understanding as the people who do the screening. It is worth trying, I have phoned up many times in the past and sometimes they have been really cheerful and understanding, and other times I just get a grumpy "well its for your own good" response!

 

[Lilies]

Good luck, you do need to have it to catch anything early....
Diazepam isn't the best thing for agoraphobia etc.... I was like it for several years, lots of panic attacks when trying to do stuff etc... Saw a psychiatrist ( didn't have an issue with that as they know the drugs inside out more than a gp) got put on an antidepressant citalopram and it changed my life...
Good luck, pm me if you want to ask anything further xx

 

[Caroline]

Tell the lady (Or man) your fears and they will explain everything and reassure it is all OK.

Normal procedure for me is I arrive and let recptionist know I am there. When it's my turn I get called in, the eye drops go in and she confirms who I am and checks details and a brief medical history. Then I sit outside for a while until the drops work. I then get taken back in and she brings the machine to my level to take the pictures. I am directed to follow a green light. The lady I see is very nice and I get to see the pictures, which are usually OK. I then go home. I find it pays to take a hat and sun glasses to protect my eyes. I avoid computers and reading for the rest of the day, but we are all different and some are able to do it more quickly.

Between one and two weeks lateer the letter arrives telling me everything is fine. I,m sure all will be well for you.

 

[eat2live]

thank you for your reasurances,

caroline i take citilopram for panic...but i also have diazepam only a small dose when needed,

and i think i might need it tomorrow, xx