How to Prepare for an Eye Exam


Visiting the eye doctor can be intimidating, but a comprehensive eye exam is the best way to test for, diagnose, and treat any underlying vision problems you may have. You should not wait until you experience a vision problem or symptoms to schedule your routine eye exam. Depending on your age, health, and family history, it is recommended to have a yearly comprehensive eye exam. Of course, if you experience any vision problems between eye exams, you should contact your eye doctor immediately.

Knowing how to prepare for your visit is a crucial step in the eye exam process. Here are some tips to help you take advantage of your next visit.

What should you bring with you?
●     Your current eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contacts
●     A list of medications or supplements you are currently taking
●     A list of any your personal and family medical history including diseases and surgeries
●     The name, address, and any additional information on your primary care doctor
●     A copy of your vision insurance card or enough information to indicate your provider
●     Your driver’s license or another form of personal identification
●     A list of questions or eye-related issues you have been experiencing such as blurry vision or chronic dry eye

What to expect?
At Vision Associates, our eye doctors use a variety of tests and procedures to thoroughly examine your eyes. Depending on the doctor and the number and complexity of test required to fully evaluate your vision health, your exam can take an hour or more. Here are the eye and vision tests you are likely to encounter during your next comprehensive eye exam:

Visual Acuity Test
A visual acuity test measures the sharpness of your vision and is one of the first tests performed during your exam. You will be asked to read a standardized eye chart so that your eye doctor can evaluate how well you see at various distances.

Ocular Motility Test
An ocular motility test will evaluate the movement of your eyes and is used to ensure proper eye alignment and muscle balance. This test will look at your eyes’ ability to move quickly in all directions as well as their ability to slowly track movement.

Slit Lamp Exam
In this exam, your eye doctor will use a microscope to examine the internal and external parts of your eye including the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens. Your eye doctor is looking for signs of cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal detachment and any scratches or scars on your cornea.

Pupil Dilation
To better view and examine the eye’s internal structures including the optic nerve and retina, your eye doctor may enlarge your pupils by using dilating eye drops. Typically, the drops take between 20-30 minutes to take effect and may last several hours following the exam. Dilation causes you to be more sensitive to light, so be sure to bring a pair of sunglasses to wear until the drops wear off.

Refraction Test
This is the test that your eye doctor uses to determine your need for corrective glasses or contact lenses. This test measures the presence of any refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism).

With a little preparation and a better understanding of what lies ahead, your comprehensive eye exam should be a simple and straightforward process.

Ready to have your vision health evaluated?
It all starts with a comprehensive eye exam. Schedule yours today! If you have any additional questions, contact Vision Associates at 419-578-2020.


Location: United States

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