Routine eye exams should occur every few years to ensure that your eyes are healthy. If you wear glasses or contacts, your optometrist is likely to recommend exams on a more consistent basis. As you get older, an annual eye exam may be necessary because of health or vision problems. During your exam, you will get the care you need to assess your vision, test eye pressure, and look for any problems with the structure of your eye. If you are having visual disturbances, or you haven't had an eye exam for some time, it's time to schedule with an eye doctor to keep your vision healthy.
Eye Pressure Testing
One of the easiest ways to test for potential eye disease is by testing the pressure within your eye. When you have elevated internal eye pressure, this can indicate you have glaucoma. The test is quick and involves a quick, painless puff of air on your eye to measure the pressure.
Field of Vision Testing
During your eye exam, your peripheral vision and your vision range will be tested. As you keep your eyes forward, the eye doctor will use equipment to test to see if you have good peripheral vision and what your visual range is.
Checking to See if You Need Vision Correction
You may need vision correction to see up close, far away, or for both. During your eye exam, your vision is tested to see if you need glasses in order to see better. If you already wear glasses, there may be a change to your prescription. You will be shown pictures and will need to share which one is clearer to you as the optometrist changes lenses to determine what your prescription is.
The Health of Your Eyes
If you have your eyes dilated, the eye doctor is able to look inside your eyes to check for any abnormalities. It is common to have your eyes dilated, and this gives your eye doctor a clearer picture of what is going on with your eyes if you are having vision problems. The exterior of your eyes is evaluated to check for any underlying diseases that could be developing.
When you visit an optometrist for an eye exam, bring any prescription glasses you have with you. Be prepared for eye dilation, and have someone drive you to your appointment if possible.
Contact an eye doctor for more information.
