Frequently asked questions
Call us on 04 576 9052 or e-mail info@eyesonpetone.co.nz with any questions.
At Eyes On Petone you’ll always receive professional eyecare from our friendly team of optometrists and dispensing opticians.
Some background information, such as whether you have been previously seen by us, your approximate age, and any recent eye issues, can help us better answer enquiries.
A few previously asked questions are:
Does wearing glasses make your vision worse?
Wearing glasses gives you clear and comfortable vision. Your prescription will not increase because you have been wearing glasses. However, you may find that the improvement in comfortable vision means that you have more symptoms without glasses.
Is wearing sunglasses just for fashion?
While sunglasses can be a fashion accessory, they provide protection for your eyes from UV rays. It is the UV rays that are known to cause cataracts, pterygia and other eye diseases. Sunglasses also reduce the glare, making your vision more comfortable.
If my family has old age blindness when do I need to have my eyes checked?
We recommend regular eye examinations from the age of 40, then usually 2 yearly thereafter. If you can find out the name of the condition that caused other family members’ vision loss, this is helpful for the optometrist to discuss with you.
My friend had progressive lenses and says she couldn’t wear them; would I be better off with 2 pairs of glasses?
We usually recommend progressive lenses rather than 2 pairs of glasses – they are so much more convenient. There is a range of optical quality with different progressive lenses (changing technology means modern designs work better), and the measurements for new progressive lenses need to be very precise. Our qualified and experienced staff recommend the progressive lens designs that work best, and take the precise measurements you need. They will help you at the start by explaining about your new glasses, and following up with you after 2 weeks to check that you are settling well.
Will contact lenses damage my eyes?
Contact lenses are considered to be a medical device as they are sitting on your cornea. If contact lenses are fitted properly, with the wearer understanding and using the correct cleaning solutions, with regular eye care, contact lenses are very safe. Some of our team wear contacts themselves, and can help you also be a successful contact lens wearer.
How old do children have to be before they can have contacts?
We don’t set an age, but rather, if the parents think their kids are able, and responsible, then they are usually great with contacts. We teach the kids all they need to know to be able to handle their own contacts – with Mum, Dad or another caregiver alongside.
Why are glasses expensive?
It all depends on which features you choose for your glasses. We offer a frame and lens package from $299 for adults and $249 for kids. These have quality frames and lenses with an anti-reflective coating, and we are proud of their quality and value.
A longer answer to this question is: there are two parts to your glasses – the frames and the lenses.
The frame cost varies depending on the quality of the frame – features such as the type of metal used, the finishes on the surface, the strength of the joints, if the frame is rimless, and the fashion aspects all affect the cost of the frame. Often a standard frame is all that you want, and people usually want a reliable frame that will last.
The lens costs vary widely depending on the design, e.g. whether they are single vision power or more complex progressive lenses. If the lenses have an extra scratch resistant coating, or a coating to reduce reflection, or have variable tint (such as Transitions), then the costs will vary widely. If you have a higher prescription, or have chosen a rimless frame, then the lenses for your glasses will need to be thinner and stronger - higher technology materials cost more.
Why does my child's eye turn in?
The most common cause for the eye turning inwards is if the child is long-sighted (hyperopic), as they need to focus (accommodate) their eyes more than normal and this may also cause one eye to turn inwards. This is because the focusing system of the eye is connected to the alignment system, so if the eyes are focusing more then they will turn in more than needed. Sometimes with children's flat nose bridge the eyes are normally aligned but don't look it. In this case the turn "disappears” as their nose bridge grows. However it is important to have a thorough assessment to be sure of the cause for the appearance of a turned eye.
The normal management for the hyperopic children is glasses to correct their prescription of long-sight, and then regular review appointments with our optometrist to ensure their vision development continues normally. Each child is different, but it is not uncommon to require gradual increases to their glasses prescription and sometimes patching and other vision training to assist the normal vision development.
What happens at an appointment?
An appointment for a comprehensive eye consultation takes time. We will check your vision and eye health, then discuss the results and recommendations with you. If you haven’t been to Eyes on Petone (or CapitalEyes in Petone) before, we allow an hour for your first appointment.
Understanding about your eyes and vision, and knowing your options is important. Not everyone needs glasses and we will make sure you are correctly informed about our findings and your options.
We love kids, and know that younger children need a consultation tailored to them and their attention span. When booking children, our team will look forward to meeting your child and helping them enjoy the experience of having their eyes checked.
Our consultations are tailored differently depending on what you need. Please advise our team when booking if you:
Have a sore or red eye and need an urgent appointment
Wear contact lenses
Have recently had laser eye surgery
Have recently had recent cataract surgery
Might need assistance for your wheelchair or walker