You can have Specialist Eye Care
Everyone is welcome at the Family Eye Centre in Christchurch. We provide high tech, accurate tests for important eye porblems
Book a comprehensive Screening test online:
- Eye tests for children is completely free from 6 months to 5 years old
- Diabetic retinal screening
- Glaucoma screening
- Macular degeneration screening
- Cataract assessment
- Testing for causes of poor vision
- Keratoconus screening
Is a screening eye test free?
All children aged from 6 months to 5 years old have free screening tests.
At our practice any family with a community services card will have free eye assessments and testing for their children, including all Specialist, Optometry and technical visits.
Otherwise, for an adult or a child from age 6 we charge $28 when a technician has done your test, which is hopefully affordable. These are very good quality tests provided by skilled staff, and give you access to a Specialist service, which often costs people hundreds of dollars. The high tech gear we use allows us to find a diagnosis without having to pay for a consultation, and we give that information to you and your GP.
Can I have a Diabetes eye test? Do I need a referral?
Yes, we provide a state-of-the art Diabetic retinopathy screening service, using dilation free cameras and AI assessment.
Artificial Intelligence grading is backed up and monitored by an experienced Eye Specialist. Reports are sent to you and your GP. We don’t need a referral but GPs do refer to our service.
What does the test include?
Each test is tailored to your problem, using the equipment that will provide an accurate assessment for that problem.
Testing is done by our trained technician, they record important medical details and can arrange for our Eye Surgeon or experienced Optometrist to review the results if they are abnormal.
They send a report to your doctor and a copy to you.
We provide you with helpful patient information about your test.
Do you provide glasses for children?
If you have a child under 6 years old who was given a glasses prescription by an Ophthalmologist or at the hospital then our staff can fit a frame and arrange good quality lenses. You don’t need an eye test to do that. You can choose “Frame fitting” from our online booking system – to get an experienced staff member helping you and plenty of time. There is no cost for that service.
Eyescreen will detect when a child or adult has a focus error present – and when the report is provided it will include the general details of your focus error. That is not a prescription.
Age 6 months to 6 years
Get you child’s eyes tested!
About
What is Eyescreen?
It is a screening test, not a traditional doctors visit. An experienced technician does the testing, a skilled Eye Surgeon or Optometrist checks the results to provide a report.
Tests don’t take long, and use no eye drops.
What can we test for?
Children's eye problems
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Diabetic eye disease
Keratoconus
Macular degenration
FAQ
Family Eye Centre
Are there hidden costs?
No, we are providing a medical service, not trying to get people to buy something. Our focus is on families and on our community – we are here to look after your health.
We make it simple by having all screening tests cost $28 even though some should cost more when the amount of time and equipment used is considered.
Our child has a lazy eye, is Eyescreen the best way to get them seen?
If your child has a very obvious crossed in eye, so that you can see it most of the time – book a specialist appointment soon, give us a call to find out some options. An Eyescreen test is most useful when you aren’t quite sure how much of a problem there is, it can find early changes and help us prevent a child losing vision.
We were surprised that our child failed their before school preschool eye test, can eyescreen help?
Yes! This is what our tests were made for, Eyescreen is the perfect next step to decide what kind of eye problem your child may have. It allows us to decide how quickly they should be seen. Some children will have a normal eyescreen test and not need any more assessment.
What happens when the test is abnormal?
The technical staff don’t try and interpret tests, they won’t be able to give you a diagnosis during your visit.
Test results are reviewed by a Registered Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor) or Optometrist on a different day, usually at the end of each week.
A report is written that tells you and your GP what was found. We can provide other advice to help when necessary.
How accurately can you detect glaucoma?
Our Eyescreen Glaucoma test is almost the same as being seen by an Eye Specialist. We can accurately detect early glaucoma damage, and measure Intra-ocular pressure. High eye pressure is the most common cause of glaucoma damage.
Do I need a GP referral?
Our online booking link lets you chose from limited options, so that you can book for yourself. If you do not think you have any of these problems then you should probably talk to your GP about your symptoms.
If you or your child from age 7 have a family history of eye issues, or a medical problem that can be linked to eye disease, then the best screening test is the Glaucoma option. It includes an assessment of eye pressure, cataract, optic nerve health and retinal photography. This covers pretty much all of the options relevant to both genetic and medical related eye problems.
Can we talk to the eye specialist about the findings?
There has to be an appointment made to do this, follow up should be in person if there were possible abnormalities found. If you have a Community Services Card and your child is youngetr than 16 then a full assessment is usually funded. Otherwise a Specialist assessment has a cost – which is fully covered by most health insurance.
Can Eyescreen refer me to hospital?
Our duty of care is to make sure no-one ever loses vision, so clearly we refer when needed. The detailed report your GP gets from us has all the information needed for them to make a referral. A GP is usually best able to arrange that step because they will be looking after your health, whereas we won’t once the letter has been sent.
Children
Early Diagnosis
Our tests can find all the important problems that affect young children’s visual development and early learning.
Abnormal focus
Squint (Strabismus)
Cataracts & obstruction to vision
Long-sightedness
Myopia (Short-sighted)
Glaucoma and retinal problems
Progressive Myopia
Axial length
By measuring a child’s eye length we can find out how fast the eye has been growing. This lets us or your Optometrist decide:
Are they at risk of high myopia?
Should low dose Atropine be started?
Is the treatment working?
Glaucoma
The silent thief of sight
There is no way to know if you have glaucoma unless you get tested regularly. Some people are at risk of glaucoma:
family history (parent, sibling)
Injury to your eye
Some eye conditions or surgeries
When taking Prednisone
Some medical problems, even in children
Email Us
OFfice
Unit 15/211 Ferry Rd, Christchurch 8011
Wednesday
9:30 to 3:30pm
Friday
9:30 to 12:30