What to Expect at an Eye Exam

If you're a new patient or haven't visited an eye doctor for a long time, you may wonder what will occur when you have your eyes examined. Here's what usually happens at Advanced Vision Care in Tucson, AZ.

Understanding Eye Exams

Most examinations begin with vision tests. You'll look at charts to tell the optometrist what letters you can read. Different charts can help assess your ability to see both near and distant items. One of our optometrists in Tucson will also evaluate the alignment of your eyes. This test involves covering each eye while you look at a specific object. It can help diagnose certain conditions, such as amblyopia or strabismus.

The eye doctor could perform a test to determine if you are colorblind. Color blindness doesn't necessarily mean that you see the world in black and white, but it affects what colors you can see. When you visit an eye doctor near you for an exam, they might test your ocular motility. This may involve following a moving object with your eyes and/or alternately looking at two different items in the room.

The optometrist might point a bright light into your eyes while you stare at a certain object. This process is known as retinoscopy. It's more likely to be part of your eye exam if you need eyeglasses. An eye doctor may check your depth perception. One way to accomplish this is to answer questions about pictures in a book while wearing three-dimensional glasses. This portion of the exam is known as a stereopsis test.

Checking Your Eye Health

An optometrist might use a biomicroscope to carefully inspect your eyes, including the iris, retina, cornea, and eyelids. You'll need to position your head on the biomicroscope as instructed. This process can identify various eye diseases. The eye doctor may check your eyes for glaucoma. This could involve measuring internal pressure by briefly blowing air at your eye or lightly touching it with a tonometer. Visual field testing can also potentially detect glaucoma.

Your vision exam may involve dilation, especially if you choose to undergo a comprehensive examination. This makes it possible to inspect your eyes more thoroughly. You'll need to wear sunglasses and avoid driving soon afterward.

Prescriptions

If the optometrist finds that you need eyeglasses, you can expect a refraction test. You'll look into an auto-refractor or look through several different lenses to determine what prescription provides the best vision. A separate contact lens exam may be needed, especially if you're a new patient.

Visit an Eye Doctor Near You

Advanced Vision Care offers both adult and pediatric eye exams in Tucson, AZ. Our professional examinations help protect your eyesight while ensuring that you can see as clearly as possible. To get started, call us today at 520-744-1711 or book an appointment for an exam on our website.