Regular eye exams are crucial because correcting your vision can improve the quality of your day-to-day life. Eye problems are more treatable when they are diagnosed at their earliest stage. Furthermore, an eye test provides clues about your overall health. This makes regular eye exams essential for appropriate eye care. How frequently you should get an eye check-up varies based on your health, risk of developing eye issues and age. Are you curious or confused about what will happen during an eye exam? Keep reading this article; we have compiled all the essential details about eye exams.
An Eye Test in a Nutshell
Eye exams are more than a mere analysis of an individual’s vision. A comprehensive eye exam involves a thorough examination of the front and back of the eye for possible health problems. The optometrist looks at the eye’s various structures during the eye health check.
Anticipated Events Before an Eye Exam
The optometrist will ask questions about your vision and take your general health history. Your answers will help them understand possible vision issues you are having or if there is any risk of eye disease.
The most common questions can be:
Do you have an eye problem?
When was the last time you had an eye problem?
In the last few years, have you had any health problems?
Have any of your family members had eye problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or retinal detachment?
Do you wear glasses or contacts, and whether you are satisfied with them or not?
Are you allergic to any medications, foods, or other substances?
Have you ever had eye surgery?
Anticipated Events During an Eye Exam
An eye exam comprises of following steps:
The optometrist analyses the sensitivity and sharpness of your vision to conclude whether you should use glasses or contact lenses for vision correction.
The doctor examines the inside of your eyes by adding a few eyedrops to dilate your eyes. It is done to measure your eye pressure.
If the optometrist decides to dilate the eyes, then the doctor uses several lights and imaging tools to examine each eye’s front and inside.
Additionally, your optometrist might do some other tests to check the appearance and function of all parts of your eyes.
Anticipated Events After an Eye Exam
Your eye exam can tell whether you have healthy eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal problems. Once the eye examination is complete, the optometrist will call you again to discuss the results. They will offer appropriate treatment if you have a vision-related or other eye health issue. For vision correction, the doctor might propose you get lenses or glasses – whichever you prefer. Furthermore, suppose a patient has a predisposition for eye disease. In that case, the doctor will recommend preventive measures or medication to prevent the risk.
How Long Can an Eye Test Take?
How long will an eye exam take depends on the patient’s age and health condition. An eye exam of a young and healthy individual usually lasts 30-45 minutes. At the same time, an eye exam of an older person with diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure and other health issues will take much longer. The time it takes varies for each individual. Your optometrist will determine the tests needed for new spectacles or contact lenses. The optometrist might send you for a further medical opinion if necessary.
Lens & Frames Optical offers high-quality eye care services in Cambridge, Ontario. Visit our store or give us a call; we will be happy to help you with your eye care requirements.
