This post is sponsored by OPSM.
I am not sure if it is a side effect of turning 40 or the hours I spend working on my laptop or iPad each night (and I am sure it could not possibly have anything to do with the time spent squinting at my iPhone as I feed AJ!) but over the course of the past six to twelve months I have noticed a change in my vision. All of a sudden I struggle to read any form of small print, which kind of makes reading the dosage requirements on the paracetamol bottle at 2am more than a little tricky! I had every intention of making an appointment with an optometrist for a vision check but it just hadn’t happened, and then I was asked to test drive the brand new, OPSM Eye Check App. Maybe the universe was trying to tell me something!
The five eye tests included with the free OPSM Eye Check App (available now via iTunes and Google Play) take less than five minutes to complete and help to determine potential problems with near distance, contrast sensitivity, colour vision, astigmatism and distance vision (you will need to pair your phone with a second phone or tablet to complete the distance vision test). The app can also direct you to your nearest OPSM store to book a more comprehensive, face-to-face eye test. OPSM recently found that more than one million Australians have never had their eyes tested and one in three adults haven’t had a test in the past two years. I was definitely one of these statistics, as I cannot recall having my eyes tested since I was in high school! Oops!
Needless to say, the OPSM Eye Check App recommended that I did indeed get myself off to the optometrist. A booking at my local OPSM was made for the next day and I was warmly greeted and well looked after by the friendly optometrist and store staff.
Regular eye tests are important to both eye health and general wellbeing. A common misconception is that only those who wear corrective eyewear need to have their eyes tested but OPSM recommends all adults have their eyes tested every two years. Their standard, in store eye test takes around 30 minutes and in Australia Medicare currently covers the cost of one such test every two years.
I found the in store eye test simple and informative, and the optometrist’s findings supported the results of the OPSM Eye Check App – I now have to get used to the idea of wearing reading glasses (if I can just decide which pair of frames suit me best!) At least my SMS’s and iPhone Facebook updates might start to make sense if I can actually see the keys 😉
The free-to-download OPSM Eye Check app is available now via iTunes and Google Play, download the app and let me know how it goes (hashtag your responses with #OPSMEyeCheck).
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Please note: The OPSM Eye Check App is not a substitute for a full test with an optometrist. Optometrists recommend an eye test at least once every two years or more frequently depending on clinical need. The app is for adults over 18 years of age.
When was the last time you had an eye examination? Do you find that your use of technology is affecting your vision?
This post is sponsored by OPSM and was co-ordinated by Nuffnang.
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
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