4 Tests You Can Expect At Your Next Eye Exam
Attending routine eye exams is one way to protect your eye health. An eye doctor can diagnose vision changes and eye diseases using various tests and machines. Here are four tests you can expect your eye doctor to perform at your next appointment:
1. Peripheral Vision Testing
Your peripheral vision refers to your ability to see out of the corner of your eye without changing your eyes' point of focus. Your optometrist will test your peripheral vision by asking you to gaze at a fixed point in front of you. Without moving your eyes, they will ask you to report how many fingers they're holding up at the edges of your vision.
2. Visual Acuity Testing
Visual acuity testing is perhaps the most well-known part of a routine eye exam. During this portion of your eye exam, your eye doctor will ask you to read a chart of letters and numbers. If you're unable to read all the letters and numbers correctly, it's a sign that your vision is not as strong as it could be. In that case, your eye doctor will use a machine called the phoropter to help you test various lenses. Your eye doctor will write you a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts based on the results of this exam. People who already wear prescription optical products should have their visual acuity retested annually since many people experience continuous vision changes throughout their lives.
3. Dilated Pupil Exam
Your eye doctor will dilate your pupils to better examine the rear structures of your eye. Your eye doctor will first administer numbing eye drops to make you comfortable. Then, they will administer a medication designed to enlarge your pupils temporarily. You may experience blurred vision and enhanced sensitivity to light until your pupils return to normal. This test is not usually performed at every eye exam. People with healthy eyes only need to have their pupils dilated every other year.
4. Applanation Tonometry
While your eyes are numb, your eye doctor may also test the pressure of your corneas. A special machine will apply slight pressure to the surface of your eye. This procedure won't hurt, but the tool used to test your eye pressure may appear very close. This test allows your doctor to check your intraocular pressure. Elevated intraocular pressure can be a sign of glaucoma, which must be diagnosed and treated immediately to prevent permanent eye damage.
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