Your yearly eye exam is the most important tool in maintaining your eye health. During this exam, your optometrist can identify potential issues, or at the very least ensure that you continue to see as clearly as possible. Your eye exam consists of various stages of testing, and being aware of what to expect can make you more comfortable.
Health Discussion
Your optometrist may begin by asking about your general health. Be honest and comprehensive in your answers, as certain medications or illnesses can affect your eye health. For example, patients with Diabetes have an increased risk of developing Glaucoma, a condition that can rob you of your sight. Seemingly unrelated health information can be very relevant. The doctor will ask you about your eye health and comfort, and whether you have noticed any changes in your vision.
Eye Health Exam
Next, the doctor will visually inspect your eyes with the help of various tools and machinery. He or she will be looking for signs of irritation, lens clouding, overall health of the eye’s structures, condition of the blood vessels, and signs of impending problems. If you are a patient with complicated health, the doctor may perform tests for Glaucoma. This may involve applying eye drops or a gentle puff of air to your eye for diagnosis, but routine eye exams are generally a painless event even when these tests are administered.
Testing Vision and Eye Function
The optometrist will also assess your visual acuity, or how well you see without corrective lenses. He or she will test eye tracking, how your eyes follow a moving object. You may read from a chart, pick out shapes of different colors, or identify where lights are placed on a picture. These tasks help identify color sight and other vision issues.
Taking Eye Measurements
By now, your doctor has a good idea of your sight needs, and will use equipment to fine-tune your vision prescription, if one is needed. The dimensions of your eye are measured using light reflection, so that your prescription is accurate. If glasses are your choice, you may also through a fitting process where your face is measured and you select your frames.
Be sure to see your Phoenix eye doctor anytime you notice a change in vision, but at least once yearly.
This annual exam is typically not something to fret over, plus it may someday save your sight.
