What Happens During an Annual Eye Exam?
Our eye care experts are dedicated to your eye health. We’re here to make the process of scheduling and completing your routine eye exams quick and easy.
Our eye exams last about 20-30 minutes and include:
- A review of your patient history: During this time your doctor may ask about your family history, any symptoms you are experiencing, and medications you are taking.
- Eye and vision examination: Tests will vary depending on the patient, but the most common to expect are visual acuity, ocular movement tests, and a health check of your eyes. More on the tests below.
- Optional contact lens testing: Patients who wish to use contact lenses instead of eyeglasses will have to complete additional tests to ensure the lenses fit correctly and determine what material is best for their eyes. Furthermore, your eye doctor can go over a proper wearing schedule for your lenses.
Different Types of Vision Tests
Our eye care experts use a variety of tests help determine the clarity, acuity, and overall health of your eyes. Here are some of the different types of vision tests you can expect at your eye exam:
Visual acuity test: This test measures your ability to see details at a specific distance using an eye chart. It helps determine your visual clarity and may involve reading letters or symbols of varying sizes.
Refraction test: The refraction test determines the appropriate correction for prescription glasses or contacts by fine-tuning lenses to achieve clear vision. It involves looking through a series of lenses while the optometrist or ophthalmologist assesses which combination provides the clearest vision for you.
Visual field test: The visual field test evaluates your peripheral vision, helping to detect blind spots or abnormalities.
Color vision test: Color vision tests assess your ability to perceive and differentiate colors accurately. These tests are helpful in detecting color vision deficiencies or color blindness.
Retinal examination: A retinal examination involves examining the back of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. It helps detect conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other retinal abnormalities that can affect vision.
Slit-Lamp examination: The slit-lamp examination allows eye care professionals to examine the front structures of the eye, such as the cornea and lens, in detail. It helps detect abnormalities or conditions like cataracts, corneal diseases, or eye infections.
Tonometry: Tonometry measures the pressure inside the eyes, which is essential for screening and monitoring glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve.
Additionally, the optometrist or ophthalmologist may also measure your pupillary distance, which is the distance between the pupils. This measurement helps ensure that eyeglasses are properly aligned with your eyes for optimal vision correction.
