An eye exam is much more than a simple test of your vision. It is also the best way for your eye professional to monitor the health of your eyes and detect any problems that you may be having or developing. In some instances, an eye exam can even identify problems that you may be having with your general health. For this reason, regular eye exams with a trained and experienced professional are strongly recommended.

Many people are naturally anxious about attending any sort of appointment that relates to their health. However, by knowing what to expect, your mind can be put at ease and you can ensure that you don’t avoid important opportunities to monitor your wellbeing. To help you to feel prepared, here’s what you need to know about what to expect during your eye exam.
 

What issues can eye exams detect?

Eye exams are a valuable tool in the detection of a wide variety of eye issues that can vary from mild and easily treated to some that are much more serious and can potentially have permanent consequences for your vision if they are not treated. Some of the most common ocular conditions identified in eye exams include:

• Refractive eye errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism)
• Presbyopia, which is a refractive eye problem resulting from the natural aging process
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration
• Dry eye disease
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Keratoconus
• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Low vision
• Retinal detachment
• Uveitis
• Conjunctivitis

Some of the wider health issues that can be picked up on as a result of an eye exam include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Thyroid Disorders
• Cancer

What will happen during my eye exam?

A number of things will happen during your eye exam, although the following order of events may vary depending on your eye doctor. It will nearly always begin with a consultation, giving you the opportunity to chat with your eye doctor about how you feel that your eyes are functioning and point out any problems that you have noticed. They will also ask you questions about your lifestyle, work, and other activities.

Your eye doctor will also want to check your eye movements and how well your eyes work together. This ensures that there isn’t any unnecessary stress placed on the eye muscles and that you have comfortable vision at all distances.

Visual acuity testing is the most well-known element of an eye exam where you are asked to read letters off of a chart that is a short distance away. You will also be asked to read a few lines from a book or sheet of paper held at a normal reading distance from your eyes. These tests will help to determine if you need a prescription for glasses or contact lenses to help you see clearly.

Checking the health of your eyes requires you to undergo a series of non-invasive, painless tests. This will include an examination of the inside and outside of your eyes, as well as checking your peripheral vision. Your eye doctor may take images of parts of your eye to help with a diagnosis or to be used for future reference. You will also undergo a test called an intraocular pressure test which evaluates the pressure inside the eyes to determine your risk of glaucoma.

If there are any issues discovered, your eye doctor will discuss these with you and make a recommendation as to the best treatment to alleviate any symptoms that you are having and ensure your eyes remain healthy and your vision clear.

To find out more about what to expect during an eye exam, or to schedule an appointment with our expert team, please call our offices today.