Sometimes we don’t realise just how beautiful the world we live in, is. However, you won’t be able to admire its beauty if you experience problems with your eyesight, which can also limit your ability to further your education or enjoy any activity that excites you so that you live life to the fullest.
Sadly, people from less fortunate communities often don’t have access to good quality eye care, depriving them of many of the things that we take for granted. This Eye Care Awareness Month, running until 23 October, Cresta Shopping Centre made it their mission to change that, by partnering with Spec-Savers and the Tshepo Community Development Initiative (TCDI).
On Friday 14 September, they provided low-cost test frames and lenses to the community of Windsor, based in the northern region of Johannesburg. What’s more, Gavin Hayes, the co-founder of Project Ngonyama that works closely with TCDI, took residents in the community for eye tests in August.
Thanks to that, the residents can now indulge in reading captivating books in their new library! Gavin gave more details: “In January, Cresta donated over 5 000 books to our library, donated by shoppers during their festive campaign. Now, Cresta together with Spec-Savers has made sure our community has the sight they need to get the most from the new library.”
If you’re due to get your eyes tested, we suggest you book an appointment at Spec-Savers in Cresta Shopping Centre. Eye tests are key since they can help you detect serious illnesses before any other physical symptoms are noticeable. Every test at Spec-Savers involves these four steps:
Step 1: To start off, a qualified optometrist will chat to you to get an understanding of your current eye health, and other factors that affect it.
Step 2: You’ll undergo visual acuity tests to check the sharpness of your near and distance vision. One of them is a subjective test, in which you’ll read a letter chart through a lens, and another is an objective test, during which your optometrist will use an instrument called a retinoscope.
Step 3: Your eye muscle balance will be evaluated to check whether your eyes are co-ordinated when you look in every direction.
Step 4: Your optometrist will carefully examine the outside of your eye by conducting an eye pressure test, before assessing various parts on the inside of your eye.
What’s next? Well, the results of your test will determine whether you suffer from any eye conditions. If you do, you’ll be in good hands, since your optometrist will discuss any prescriptions to improve your eyesight, or refer you to an ophthalmologist if necessary. The optical dispensers or assistants will also help you find the perfect pair of spectacles, to suit your needs.
You don’t want to delay your appointment because as said by Cresta Shopping Centre’s general manager, Virginia Bester, “Our eyes are the vehicles through which we curate life.”
