If you’ve never visited an eye doctor for a normal eye exam, it’s time to learn what this entails and what you can expect. Because you do not want to neglect the health of your eyes, you need to see the eye doctor as often as recommended. If you wear eyeglasses or contacts, this means an exam every one to two years. Others will need to see the eye doctor based on their ages to determine frequency. Have you ever wondered what is included in a normal eye exam? If so, you have come to the right place. We hope to set your mind at ease and help you understand what to expect so you won’t be nervous. Eye examinations do not cause any pain, and they usually last about an hour, depending on the doctor and your needs.
You need an eye exam regularly because most eye conditions can be treated if they are found early. Your eye doctor also needs to make sure you can see clearly. Sometimes people don’t realize they have an eye condition until major complications begin to develop and impact their vision. Do not wait for these major problems to develop. Instead, visit https://topeyedoctorsnearme.com/colorado/optometrist-denver-co/ to find the best eye doctor to meet your needs. You won’t be disappointed in this vast list!
The steps below are involved in most normal eye exams. If you have any further questions about any part of the examination, your eye doctor will be happy to assist you.
- The eye doctor is going to test your vision to make sure you can see. The visual acuity exam involves you looking through various lenses to assist the doctor in finding out if you need eyeglasses or contacts.
- The eye doctor will also give you some eye drops that numb your eyes and cause your pupils to dilate. The dilation process is slightly uncomfortable but not painful. Dilation examinations are usually not given to very young children. Because of this exam, you won’t be able to drive directly after your appointment, and you will need to wear dark sunglasses to prevent too much light from entering your eyes and causing damage.
- After the drops take effect, the eye doctor is going to look inside your eyes for any signs of damage to the retina or blood vessels that supply your eyes. Your doctor will make sure no damage has occurred that could cause vision loss.
- Your doctor will also carry out a special test that measures the level of pressure inside the eye to make sure you don’t have glaucoma. Inside eye pressure can cause problems with retinal damage.
There are many tests that are carried out by your eye doctor. These tests are fairly quick, so you won’t have to worry about staying in the doctor’s office for hours. From start to finish, you can expect these tests to occur below.
Eye Muscle Test
Visual Acuity Test
Refraction Testing
Visual Field Testing (Confrontation examination, manual testing, and automated perimetry)
Color Vision Testing
Slit-Lamp Examination
Retinal Examination (Direct & Indirect)
Glaucoma Screening (Applanation tonometry and Noncontact tonometry)
Based on your particular eye care needs, you may need to go through further tests and screenings. Some of these examinations will be carried out by the doctor’s assistant, while many of them will be done by the eye doctor themselves. During the eye exam, you will sit in a darkened room and in a comfortable chair. If you feel anxious, try to breathe deeply and relax as much as possible. Remember that this examination is not painful, and your eye doctor is there to help you protect your eye health and make sure you can see clearly. Your annual eye exam is crucial for your vision health. Certain health conditions make you more prone to developing eye problems, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmune conditions. If you’ve got any of these health problems, you are going to need to have more frequent eye examinations. Your eye doctor is your greatest protection against eye health issues that can cause negative impacts on your vision. Do not be afraid to contact your eye doctor if you are concerned about any eye symptoms you are having.
If it’s been some time since your last eye examination or if you have never had one, it’s time to schedule today. Finding the best eye doctor will ensure you receive a full eye exam that checks every aspect of your eye health. Don’t forget to schedule these exams often.