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Eye check-up and spectacles for patients from Curchorem: headaches, small print and how often to check

Curchorem is a market town: shopkeepers reading bills and labels, tailors and mechanics doing close work, students, and drivers who need sharp distance vision. Three questions come up again and again: are my headaches from my eyes, why can I not read small print any more, and how often should I get my eyes checked? This page answers them, and explains how to plan the trip. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is in Vasco, not in Curchorem: 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama.

Are my headaches from my eyes?

Sometimes. Eye-related headaches usually come after reading, sewing, screen work or a long drive, sit around the forehead or the eyes, and ease with rest. Uncorrected power, a reading power that is due, or eyes that do not team up well can all cause them. A headache that wakes you at night, comes with vomiting, sudden blurred or double vision, or a red, painful eye is different and needs prompt attention. Read can weak eyesight cause headaches?

Why small print gets harder after 40

From about 40, the eye's lens slowly loses its ability to focus close up. The price on a packet, the numbers on a bill or a medicine strip, and the phone screen need to be held further away and need more light. It happens to everyone, and reading spectacles or a lens with a reading part fix it. Because glaucoma and cataract also become more common from 40, the eye check-up at this age should include the eye pressure and the retina, not just the power. See eye check-up after 40.

How often should I get my eyes checked?

• Adults with no problems: a full check-up by about 40, then as the eye doctor advises, often every one to two years later in life.
• People with diabetes: at least once a year, even if the sight seems fine.
• High BP, a family history of glaucoma, high power or an old eye injury: regular checks as advised.
• Children: before starting school, and whenever a parent or teacher notices a problem.

More detail is on how often to have your eyes checked.

For drivers

If headlights glare, signs blur or you are due for a licence eye check, have your eyes examined. Anti-reflection coatings on spectacle lenses can reduce glare from lights, and a colour vision test can be added if your form needs it.

Getting to ReNew Vision from Curchorem

• Train: Sanvordem-Curchorem station is on the line that ends at Vasco da Gama station, about 3 km from the hospital. Trains are few, so check both the outward and the return times against the OPD hours.
• Road: about 44 km via Shiroda and the Borim bridge, or via Chandor and Margao, then the Vasco road (NH 366): about an hour.
• Bus: buses run from Curchorem to Margao, with frequent buses on to Vasco.
• Pickup: we can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient; call 072489 88039. See coming from another town.

Planning the visit

• The Eye OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday included; Sunday OPD is closed.
• Arrive early in the OPD if drops may be used; afterwards, close vision is blurred for a few hours, so do not drive or ride home.
• Bring your spectacles, old prescriptions, and sugar or BP reports if you have them.
• The Vision Correction Centre is in the same building; ask when your spectacles will be ready.

Questions patients ask

Can weak eyesight cause headaches?

Yes, often after reading, screen work or driving, around the forehead or eyes. An eye test finds the cause. A headache with vomiting, sudden blurred or double vision, or a painful red eye needs prompt attention.

Why can I not read small print after 40?

The eye's lens loses its close focus from about 40. Reading spectacles fix it. A full check-up at this age should also include the eye pressure and the retina.

How often should I have my eyes checked?

A full check-up by about 40, then as the eye doctor advises; at least once a year with diabetes; and regular checks with high BP, a family history of glaucoma or high power.

Can I come to ReNew Vision by train from Curchorem?

Yes. Sanvordem-Curchorem station is on the line that ends at Vasco da Gama, about 3 km from the hospital. Check the outward and return times against the OPD hours.

Is ReNew Vision in Curchorem?

No. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is only in Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, about 44 km from Curchorem.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.