How we test eyes for those living with dementia
Clear Vision Starts Here: Unveiling the Secrets of Retinoscopy – A quick guide on how we test resident who cannot communicate.
What is retinoscopy and how is it carried out?
This test measures whether vision is long-sighted or short-sighted. The optometrist will use different types of lenses which are held up close to the patients’ eyes, and they will shine a little light in each eye.
The optometrist will try to use a trial frame and insert lenses into the frame to determine an accurate result. This is like a pretend pair of glasses and the optometrist will put lenses onto the frames while looking into the back of the patient’s eye with a light.
They will then be able to tell if glasses are required and also what strength the lenses should be.
What instrument is used to do this?
This is done by looking through an optical instrument called a retinoscope. The optometrist will observe the movement of reflected light in a patient’s pupil.
What if the patient cannot communicate properly?
Retinoscopy is an objective method of refraction in which the patient does not need to tell the optometrist how they see. Without having to ask “which is better, one or two.” The test can be quick, easy, reliably accurate and needs little cooperation from the patient.
Who is this test caried out on?
This test is commonly used on babies, children and those that cannot communicate properly e.g. those patient’s living with dementia or who cannot speak.