What to Expect When You Go For an Eye Exam?

For many people out there, eye exams can be intimidating. The doctor has to come up close to the face and examine the eyes. They might have to use certain tools as well to check the pressure of the eyes, which can be very frightening. Even though these tests do not hurt, we tend to feel uncomfortable with light in the eyes and other equipment. However, since the eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our body, we need to get them checked regularly. As we age, there are high chances that the visionary power of our eyes decreases, and we might also have to use prescription eyeglasses.

There are certain things we should keep in mind before going for an eye exam. This article will help you understand everything in detail.

What to Expect When You Go For an Eye Exam?

For many people out there, eye exams can be intimidating. The doctor has to come up close to the face and examine the eyes. They might have to use certain tools as well to check the pressure of the eyes, which can be very frightening. Even though these tests do not hurt, we tend to feel uncomfortable with light in the eyes and other equipment. However, since the eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our body, we need to get them checked regularly. As we age, there are high chances that the visionary power of our eyes decreases, and we might also have to use prescription eyeglasses.

There are certain things we should keep in mind before going for an eye exam. This article will help you understand everything in detail.

How To Prepare For An Eye Exam?

1.      You must know and carry information about your family history. If they have had any serious eye condition or any other issue related to the eyes, make sure to convey it to the doctor as your condition might be hereditary. In such cases, it helps the doctor understand your situation better and guide you accordingly.

2.      Write down all the symptoms you are experiencing. If you write everything as and when you experience them, you can cover everything and communicate them to the doctor. Otherwise, there are high chances that you might forget things that may or may not be important.

3.      The next thing to ensure is to tell the doctor if you are on some medications. This is because your eye condition might be a side effect of the medicines you are consuming or be directly/indirectly related to them.

4.      Carry your vision insurance if you have it already.

5.      The last thing you need to carry is a pair of sunglasses. This is very important, and we can’t put enough emphasis on it. There are certain medicines that the doctor might put in your eyes to check them. These eye drops increase the brightness in your eyes, so you will not be able to step out in the light or see things clearly for a few hours.

How To Prepare For An Eye Exam?

1.      You must know and carry information about your family history. If they have had any serious eye condition or any other issue related to the eyes, make sure to convey it to the doctor as your condition might be hereditary. In such cases, it helps the doctor understand your situation better and guide you accordingly.

2.      Write down all the symptoms you are experiencing. If you write everything as and when you experience them, you can cover everything and communicate them to the doctor. Otherwise, there are high chances that you might forget things that may or may not be important.

3.      The next thing to ensure is to tell the doctor if you are on some medications. This is because your eye condition might be a side effect of the medicines you are consuming or be directly/indirectly related to them.

4.      Carry your vision insurance if you have it already.

5.      The last thing you need to carry is a pair of sunglasses. This is very important, and we can’t put enough emphasis on it. There are certain medicines that the doctor might put in your eyes to check them. These eye drops increase the brightness in your eyes, so you will not be able to step out in the light or see things clearly for a few hours.

What Tests Should I Expect During An Eye Exam?

Depending on your eye condition, the symptoms you tell them you are experiencing, and upon their regular examination, you might be asked to go through certain tests. This might include the following:

1.      Eye Muscle Movement Test

As the name suggests, in this test, the eye specialist will check the movement of the eyeballs in eight different directions. Generally, the doctor will hold a pen in his hand and move it around to check if you are able to follow the directions smoothly.

2.      Visual Acuity Test

This is another common test every doctor asks their patient to go through. You will be asked to read different alphabets printed on an eye chart from a distance. These alphabets will be of different sizes, and you will be asked to cover one of your eyes while reading them.

3.      Cover Test

In this test, you will be asked to cover one of your eyes and repeat the same for the other eye. Through this test, the doctor aims to check the movement of your eyes. This is also to understand the alignment of both eyes. If the eyes are not aligned, it might be the cause of your eye condition, and you will have frequent headaches, double vision, constant eye strain, etc.

4.      External Exam and Pupil Reactions

As the name suggests, this exam is to examine the pupils. Through this test, the doctor tries to understand how the pupil in your eyes reacts to the light and the objects close to you.

5.      Refraction Test

To give you an accurate prescription for your eyes, the doctor might also want to use a computerized refractor. The doctor will use a phoropter and flip it back and forth in between the lenses and ask which one suits you best.

6.      Slit Lamp

This is also referred to as a biomicroscope. In this test, the doctor will magnify and light the front area of your eyes. This test is done to check all the other parts of the eye, such as the iris, cornea, back of the eyes, etc., and to ensure that you do not have any other eye condition.

7.      Retinal Examination

This is an important test to check the nerves in the eyes. In this test, the doctor will dilate the pupils in your eyes and use a tool called an ophthalmoscope to examine the retinal blood vessels, retina, fluid in the eyes, and back of the eye.

8.      Pupillary Distance between the Eyes

This test is done to check the distance between the two pupils and determine where you look when you wear your glasses.

 

What Tests Should I Expect During An Eye Exam?

Depending on your eye condition, the symptoms you tell them you are experiencing, and upon their regular examination, you might be asked to go through certain tests. This might include the following:

1.      Eye Muscle Movement Test

As the name suggests, in this test, the eye specialist will check the movement of the eyeballs in eight different directions. Generally, the doctor will hold a pen in his hand and move it around to check if you are able to follow the directions smoothly.

2.      Visual Acuity Test

This is another common test every doctor asks their patient to go through. You will be asked to read different alphabets printed on an eye chart from a distance. These alphabets will be of different sizes, and you will be asked to cover one of your eyes while reading them.

3.      Cover Test

In this test, you will be asked to cover one of your eyes and repeat the same for the other eye. Through this test, the doctor aims to check the movement of your eyes. This is also to understand the alignment of both eyes. If the eyes are not aligned, it might be the cause of your eye condition, and you will have frequent headaches, double vision, constant eye strain, etc.

4.      External Exam and Pupil Reactions

As the name suggests, this exam is to examine the pupils. Through this test, the doctor tries to understand how the pupil in your eyes reacts to the light and the objects close to you.

5.      Refraction Test

To give you an accurate prescription for your eyes, the doctor might also want to use a computerized refractor. The doctor will use a phoropter and flip it back and forth in between the lenses and ask which one suits you best.

6.      Slit Lamp

This is also referred to as a biomicroscope. In this test, the doctor will magnify and light the front area of your eyes. This test is done to check all the other parts of the eye, such as the iris, cornea, back of the eyes, etc., and to ensure that you do not have any other eye condition.

7.      Retinal Examination

This is an important test to check the nerves in the eyes. In this test, the doctor will dilate the pupils in your eyes and use a tool called an ophthalmoscope to examine the retinal blood vessels, retina, fluid in the eyes, and back of the eye.

8.      Pupillary Distance between the Eyes

This test is done to check the distance between the two pupils and determine where you look when you wear your glasses.

 

Once you have the right prescription for your eyes and have gone through all the tests the doctor recommende, you must take the prescription to an optical store and get the right glasses.