If you have never had a comprehensive eye test before, you are likely to wonder what it entails and whether it is necessary. A number of tests and procedures are used during an eye exam to determine the health of your eyes. Your optician will perform these tests, and your ophthalmologist will then review the results. Your ophthalmologist may also examine your eyes. The time taken in getting your eye examined can be anything between 30 minutes to an hour and is likely to include a few of the steps listed below.
- Filling Out a Health History Form: Before you walk into the room for your diagnostic tests, you will be required to fill out a health history form. In this form, you will have to answer specific questions about any medical conditions you may have and a list of medications you may be consuming. The list will also ask you to fill out questions on your health history. Arrive a couple of minutes before your appointment to complete this form.
- Pre-Exam Consul: You will then be ushered into the pre-examination room, where you will meet with your optician. He or she will review your health history based on the form you filled out and make notes on any problems you may be having with your eyes or vision. The optician will next measure your visual activity without and with correction. Next, you will have to go through a series of objective measurements using a visual field machine to check to see if your vision is failing in any area. Finally, the opticians will then check the pressure of your eye to assess the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Glaucoma Test: Based on your test results, if your intraocular pressure is high, your doctor may run further diagnostic tests. Glaucoma left unattended can lead to permanent damage to your optic nerve and result in visual field loss. This is why all ophthalmologists check the pressure of your eyes during an eye examination. The most common way to check pressure is by the use of a non-contact tonometer. The test is quick and painless, accurately measures eye pressure, and helps identify any potential eye issues early.
- Perimetry Test: If necessary, your doctor may also choose to perform a visual field test known as threshold perimetry test to check for any blind spots in your vision. This test, too, is quick and painless and helps catch eye diseases at an early stage.
- Cover Test: Another test performed during a routine eye check-up is the cover test. This test is performed to check how both your eyes work together. You will be asked to stare at an eye chart and cover each of your eyes. The doctor will observe how much each of your eyes moves to register the object you are looking at. This test helps determine if you have a lazy eye, binocular vision problems, or poor depth reception.
Aside from the tests mentioned above, your doctor may also perform a refraction test or dilate your eyes to get a better view of your eyes to rule out any eye conditions. It is important to get your eyes examined at least once every year. If you are looking for a reliable doctor to perform an eye exam near you, Bullock's The Eye Opener is the right place for you. Waste no time, and call us at 604-739-2015 to book an appointment for your eye exam in Vancouver today.
