Eye Testing: What Happens?
Are you experiencing difficulties with your vision such as blurriness, haziness, or distortions? Do you frequently experience eye discomfort, headaches, redness, itchiness, or swelling? Are your eyes watery, and do you struggle to see clearly at night? Do bright lights bother your eyes?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to make an appointment with Eyesight Optometrist today!
When you visit the optometrist for an eye examination, the process is straightforward and typically takes only 15 to 30 minutes.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
During the eye test, your optometrist will inquire about your overall health, lifestyle, visual clarity, eye history, and any eyewear you may use during the examination.
The eye examination consists of three main components:
- Vision Correction Assessment: Tests to determine if you require glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision.
- External Eye and Eye Movement Evaluation: Tests to examine the health of the outer surface of your eyes and assess your eye movements.
- Inner Eye Examination: Tests to check the condition of the structures inside your eyes.
Your optometrist will guide you through the following activities during the eye exam, explaining each one as you proceed:
- Reading letters on a chart using different lenses. If you have difficulty reading, alternative methods like matching letters or identifying images may be used.
- Examining the various structures of your eyes using a microscope to ensure they are healthy.
- Using an ophthalmoscope to examine the interior of your eyes. The optometrist will position themselves near you and direct a bright light into your eyes, asking you to look in different directions.
- Checking muscle control to ensure your eye movements are precise.
- Conducting a pressure check, known as the "puff of air" test, to detect glaucoma or abnormalities in eye pressure.
Additional tests may be performed if necessary.
AFTER YOUR EYE TEST
Once the eye examination is complete, the optometrist will discuss their findings with you. They will cover the following:
- Whether you require glasses or contact lenses.
- Any changes in your vision since your last visit.
- Any indications of ocular conditions, along with the diagnosis and recommended management of such conditions.
If glasses are needed, the optometrist will provide you with a lens prescription and hand you over to our dispensing staff who will aid in providing you with the best frames and lenses for your lifestyle needs.
However, if they believe you should see an Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist), they will arrange a referral for you.
At Eyesight Optometrist, we are here to provide you with comprehensive eye examinations and transparent discussion about your eyes and visual needs. We strive to provide you with great vision for your lifestyle. Reach out if you have any other questions.
FAQ
- Phoropter: used to measure your refractive error, determining your lens prescription.
- Autorefractor: machine which takes measurements of your refractive error.
- Tonometer: used to measure the pressure within your eye.
- Digital Retinal Photography: used to take a photograph of the central area of your retina which is the posterior layer within your eye.
- Visual Field: machine which assesses your peripheral vision.
- Slit Lamp Biomicroscope: a microscope which shines light into your eye in order to have a magnified look at your ocular structures.
Lens prescriptions have numbers and abbreviations which may be hard to understand. Our Optometrist will go through your visual condition, whether it is myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia or any other condition.
Learn more by exploring our Eye Q Blog:
Getting Ready for Your Eye Examination