eye exam

What To Expect When You Get Your First Eye Exam

Your first eye exam might be a little intimidating when you’re an adult. Your basic vision screenings at your primary doctor have done the job so far, but now that it’s time for your first official eye exam, you need to know what to expect.

Types of tests

There are multiple tests that occur when you visit the eye doctor.

A visual acuity test is the classic visual test. It utilizes the Snellen Chart, where the letters get smaller and smaller as the rows reach the bottom of the chart. Your eye doctor will rely on the last row you can make out to test your visual sharpness and, well, acuity. Each row corresponds with a different level of visual sharpness. This test may also utilize an occluder to test one eye, then the other.

A color blindness test will determine if you’re color blind to certain colors. Your doctor will present a series of colored images, usually displaying a number or letter in one color against another. If you cannot see the visual embedded into the colors, you might be color deficient.

A refraction test. You know the large instrument featured on the front of the Justin Timberlake album from 2013? It isn’t called “The 20/20 Experience” for nothing. The singer utilized a phoropter, a refractor machine that tests different lenses on each eye during the refraction test to finely tune your vision to the correct prescription. This instrument will be utilized following the initial use of a retinoscope, where light is shined into your eyes. Your optometrist will measure the reaction of your eyes pupils to get an idea of what your prescription may require.

Health tests will determine whether or not you have a risk for glaucoma, cataracts, and other issues concerning your eyes and vision. There are a variety of tests for each health concern, including the ocular pressure test for glaucoma and they might also dilate your pupils via eye drops and view them on a slit lamp.

Then you’re done!

After your eye exam, your eye doctor will give you a prescription for glasses or contacts should you need them. They will also diagnose any health issues you may have and recommend options for glaucoma treatment or cataract treatment. If you prefer to live glasses-free, Lasik eye surgery is another option. Lasik surgery only takes 20 minutes to complete on both eyes, making it a short, efficient procedure.

If you have any questions regarding eye exams or Lasik eye surgery, contact AbellEyes today for more information.

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