Eye Examination Based on Your Eye Complaints by an Expert Optometrist in Amsterdam

For most concerns, your eyes will be dilated. After your appointment, you should refrain from driving for 3 to 12 hours, depending on the nature of the concern.
If you wear contact lenses, please bring the lens prescription and a lens case to remove your lenses during the appointment.
If you have complaints related to dry eyes, it is advised not to wear eye makeup before your appointment.

Zeker Zicht Eye Care conducts examinations for the following eye conditions:

• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Dry eyes
• Cataracts
• Asthenopic complaints
• Flashes/specks or mouches volantes
• Second opinion, do I really need glasses?
• Eyelid abnormalities

Eye Conditions

Glaucoom

Glaucoma involves damage to the optic nerve. Symptoms are noticeable only in the later stages, called tunnel vision. Glaucoma patients may become clumsy and sometimes bump into things. This is because the field of vision gradually diminishes, and the brain compensates with incorrect information.

A common form is high-pressure glaucoma, but there is also glaucoma with normal eye pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to have your eyes tested, especially if someone in your family (parents, siblings) has glaucoma.

A glaucoma screening involves a scan of the optic nerve. Sometimes a simple visual field test is done with a Virtual Glasses.

If your pupils are very small, eye drops are used for the optic nerve scan. You should not drive afterward, and sunglasses may be necessary due to light sensitivity. The effect of these eye drops lasts approximately 3-5 hours.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration involves the deterioration of the retina due to damage, usually age-related. Symptoms include (partially) blurry vision without improvement after an eye measurement and distortion or distorted images.

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. There is no treatment for dry macular degeneration, only monitoring. Wet macular degeneration can be treated in a hospital or eye clinic. If this is the case, you will be referred promptly.

If there is vision loss not improved by an eye measurement, eye drops are usually used to assess and photograph your retina. Since you will be dilated during your appointment, you should not drive for 3-5 hours. Be aware that you may need assistance.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, involving changes in the blood vessels of the retina. If not detected and treated in time, it can lead to vision impairment or blindness.

Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include prolonged diabetes, pregnancy, high blood pressure, kidney disease, obesity, and high cholesterol. In a diabetic retinopathy screening, visual acuity is measured, and eye drops are usually used to assess the entire retina if the pupil is too small.

Since you will be dilated during your appointment, you should not drive for 3-5 hours. Be aware that you may need assistance.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes result from issues with the tear film, tear gland production, or tear drainage. The tear film moisturizes the eye, ensuring its health and clear vision. Dry eyes can manifest in mild to severe forms.

Common dry eye complaints include a burning sensation, a feeling of grittiness, variable blurry vision after blinking, sticky eyes, occasional eyelid twitching, and a kind of pressure or stabbing pain behind the eye.

During a dry eye screening, your vision is measured, and the tear film quality is examined using various devices. No eye drops are used, but it is advised not to use eye makeup and not to wear contact lenses.

Cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most well-known eye diseases globally and the most common eye condition in the Netherlands. In this condition, the eye lens becomes cloudy, affecting the clear projection of images onto the retina. It is positioned just behind the pupil and the iris. Cataracts, or clouding, occur when proteins in the lens clump together.

Cataracts are generally harmless, but vision gradually deteriorates. It is recommended to have your vision checked at least 1 to 2 times a year. After cataract surgery, vision can be restored.

If there is cataract, your visual acuity will be measured, and if there is little or no improvement, eye drops may be used. You will be referred to an eye doctor if you experience symptoms or if your vision has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer safe to drive.

Asthenopia (Eye Strain)

Asthenopia complaints generally include tired eyes, headaches throughout the day, intermittent double vision, painful or burning eyes, light sensitivity, dizziness, inability to sit at the computer for long periods, inability to read a book for an extended time, and neck/shoulder pain.

The cause usually lies in the strength of the glasses or their absence, poor eye coordination, or viewing habits.

If you have one or more asthenopia complaints, an eye measurement will be performed, sometimes with eye drops. You should not drive for 6-12 hours after the eye examination. The coordination between both eyes, eye health, and your viewing habits will also be assessed.

At the end of the examination, you will receive comprehensive advice to alleviate your complaints.

Since you will be dilated during your appointment, you should not drive for 6-12 hours. Be aware that you may need assistance.

Flashes and/or Floaters

Flashes and floaters occur when someone sees floating particles that move slowly with eye movements—these particles in the vitreous, called floaters or "mouches volantes." The vitreous consists of collagen fibers, which, with aging, become drier, and the spaces between the collagen fibers become smaller.

These floaters are generally harmless and usually settle at the bottom of the eye. This phenomenon is more common in older age but can occur at any age. Under certain lighting conditions, such as on the beach or in bright light, or even under stress, these floaters may be seen more quickly.

In older age, there may also be glare. These are lights at the side of the visual field. This happens when the vitreous, due to dehydration, shrinks and slowly detaches from the retina. This can also lead to more floaters.

If you suddenly see more than 10 floaters, with or without flashes, you should inform your general practitioner as soon as possible. In this case, there may be a retinal tear or detachment. People with high myopia (> -6.00dpt) are more likely to have retinal detachment when the vitreous is attached to the retina.

Second opinion

If you cannot adapt to your new glasses, or you are advised by the optician to wear glasses or adjust the strength of your glasses or use an additional pair for certain activities, but you are not sure if this is correct, and you want a second opinion to explore all options on the market to improve your vision.

During this appointment, an extensive eye measurement of the strength and coordination of the eyes will be performed. Additionally, eye health will be assessed. Sometimes, administering eye drops is necessary, so you should not drive for 6-12 hours after the eye examination.

At the end of the eye examination, you will receive comprehensive advice with measured strengths, explanations, and market options to improve your vision.

Since you will be dilated during your appointment, you should not drive for 6 to 12 hours. Be aware that you may need assistance.

Eyelid Abnormalities