If you’ve ever had an eye exam, you understand the importance of getting your vision checked annually. Vision can change significantly from year to year, particularly as we age. This means it’s important to get an updated prescription at least once a year.
We all know that going to see an optometrist will require us to sit through various tests. But have you ever wondered exactly what a comprehensive eye exam entails? If your optometrist doesn’t walk you through the process, it can seem a bit random and unimportant. However, some important things happen during a routine eye exam. Here’s what to know about what your optometrist is looking for during your exam.
Glaucoma Test
Called the non-contact tonometry (NCT) test, this is the “air puff” machine that checks for glaucoma by measuring your intraocular pressure or the pressure inside your eyes.
Autorefractor
This is the machine where your optometrist might ask you to look straight ahead at the light or the little wooden house. This test provides your optometrist with an estimate that will assist in writing your prescription.
Visual Acuity Test
Your optometrist will use this test to measure the sharpness of your vision. It’s performed using a large eye chart on the wall (for long-distance vision) and a smaller handheld chart (for short-term vision). Your optometrist will ask you to read the smallest line that you can clearly see.
Eye Cover Test
This test checks the short-term and long-term vision of individual eyes by having you cover each eye and focus on an object straight ahead. Your eyes can actually change independently from one another, but this still affects your overall vision.
Color Blindness Check
True to its name, this test checks your color vision to rule out color blindness. This means that you might have trouble differentiating between certain pairs of colors.
Ocular Motility
This test measures eye movement by having you hold your head still while following the movement of an object, such as a light. If you have difficulty with this, it can be indicative of a more serious condition.
Depth Perception
The Stereopsis test measures your eyes’ ability to work together to appreciate 3-dimensional objects. This means you can accurately judge how far away something is within the space around you (which is very important in your day-to-day life!)
Retinoscopy
This test assists your optometrist in determining the correct lens power for your prescription. It includes shining a light into each eye and flipping the lenses on a machine ahead of you to choose the right power for your distance vision.
Refraction
During this test, your optometrist will show you various lens options and ask you which looks clearer, and you’ll do this a handful of times for each eye. Like the autorefractor, this test assists the optometrist in writing your prescription.
Slit Lamp Test
Using a hand-held lens and a machine similar to an upright microscope, your optometrist will perform a detailed examination of the inside of your eyes to determine your overall health and detect any conditions that might be present.
Pupil Dilation
This process temporarily enlarges your pupils to help the optometrist examine your inner eye structure. It might make your eyes temporarily sensitive to light or even blurry, but this goes away within the day.
Schedule Your Exam Today
Campus Eye Group specializes in comprehensive eye exams for glasses, contacts, eye health checks, and more. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam with our team, we invite you to contact our offices today by calling or filling out our online form.
