Eye examination is performing by an optometrist, and it takes about 30 minutes, to check the eye health and looks for signs of general health problems.
What happens in an eye examination?
The eye exam test may take longer if extra tests are required to depend upon the individual eye condition. In an eye test, the optometrist will check the eye health and look for symptoms of general health problems. The eye vision testing will normally include the following elements:
- Health history and eye symptoms
- Eye testing
- Vision testing
- Eye movements and co-ordination
Health history and symptoms
Optometrist starts examining eye, by asking certain questions about the health and eye symptoms if any. They will ask why having the eyes examined, whether it is a routine checkup or have any specific reason. If experiencing any problems with the eyes or vision the practitioner will need to know the symptoms, how long have had them, and if there are any sudden or slow symptoms over time.
Optometrist will also need to know about the general health, including:
- Medications that are taking,
- whether suffer from headaches,
- have any family history of eye problems,
- Ask about the previous spectacles or contact lenses.
Eye testing
Examining eyes both externally and internally, enable an assessment to the eye health to identify any other underlying medical problems. The eye interior will assess using an ophthalmoscope, a special torch with shiny light on the pupil allowing a detailed study of the internal structures and pupil reflexes will test.
Other tests, which may carry if necessary that include; glaucoma or color vision deficiency. If over 40, it recommends checking for glaucoma, because aging increases the chances of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma has no prior symptom and normally noticed only after some sight has already affected.
Glaucoma examination involves; assessing internal eye, measuring inside pressure of the eye, and checking the visual fields to make sure do not have any abnormal blind spots. Many optometrists are now advice some extra tests, such as photography of the interior and exterior of the eye.
Dilated eye exam - is a painless procedure in which an optometrist assesses the eyes to find for vision problems and eye diseases. Dilation drops are dropped into the eyes to dilate (or widen) the pupils. Optometrist uses a special magnifying lens to assess retina to find any signs of damage and other eye problems (such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration). It also allows the doctor to assess damage to the optic nerve that occurs when a person has glaucoma. After the dilated eye exam, the close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours due to the eye drop used during the examination.
Vision testing
Vision tests are performing to assess many functions of the eye vision. These tests are useful to measure the ability to the eye to see objects at near and far distances, check for gaps/defects in the field of vision, and check the ability to see various colors.
- Visual acuity tests - are the most common tests used to assess eye vision. It measures the ability of the eye to see objects at near and far distances. It involves reading letters or symbols of different sizes on an eye chart. Usually, each eye is testing by individually and then both eyes may test together, with or without corrective lenses.
- Refraction test - is a test that measures the refractive errors (such as nearsightedness or farsightedness) of the eye to assess the need for corrective lenses. It is usually performing after a visual acuity test. Refractive errors occur when light rays entering the eye cannot focus exactly on the retina, and causes blurred vision. Refraction test is the routine eye examination for people who already wear glasses or contact lenses. It will also perform if the results of the visual acuity tests show that the eyesight is below normal and need to correct by glasses.
- Visual field tests - are useful to check for gaps in the peripheral (side) vision. The entire visual field is the complete area seen when gazing is fixes in one direction. The total visual area is seeing by both eyes, and it includes the central visual field (which provides the highest degree of details) and the peripheral visual fields (which provide a comparably low degree of details).
- Color vision tests – are used to check the ability to see colors. It is useful to assess color blindness in people with family history of color blindness or to those who have retinal or optic nerve disease.
Remember to take the spectacles or contact lenses when attend for an eye examination. Vision will measure both with and without spectacles or lenses to check for any problems with the eyesight.
Eye movements and co-ordination
Eye movements and co-ordination test are useful to check that both eyes are working together, and that improper stress is not placing on the eye muscles. Proper muscle balance is the must for those who use computers or read for prolonged periods.
At the end of the examination a prescription for spectacles or contact lenses, or a statement, which confirms that, the eyes do not need correction. If you need medical treatment for an eye condition, then the patient may refer to a doctor or hospital.
Patients will help by optometrist in choosing spectacles or contact lenses. If contact lenses are you choice, then they will give advice on the different types of lenses, the procedures for fixing lenses and other information about caring and cleaning lenses.
If not satisfied with the spectacles or contact lenses consult an optometrist, they will be happy to correct or make minor adjustment to the spectacles where possible.