What to expect at an eye exam?
No matter your age or your vision history- positive or less than 20/20, it is very important to get a yearly eye exam. For those of us with glasses, we are used to going in and having things checked out but many still do not go every year. People who have great vision, likewise can feel it is less important to have this yearly check up since everything seems fine. However it is very important to make sure you are going once a year to ensure there are no lurking issues under the surface that are unknown or not causing apparent problems. Catching a disease early can be the difference in maintaining your vision and potentially loosing it all together.
What does happens at an eye exam?
We are glade you asked! First when you come in, we will go over your medical history and see if there is any potential red flags to keep watch for. We will also ask if you have been having any known problems like blurry vision, harder to read text close or far away, any trouble at night or while driving, or even headaches in the eye area. If you find you are having dry eye or irritation, please be sure to mention this as well.
From there, we will begin our exam with you in the big chair. Depending on what we uncover in our initial talk, we will take a look at your overall eye health through a series of tests. Often we use a light to help see deeper in the eye and have you look in different directions to get a full view. Our machine will also test your vision to see how close to 20/20 you really are. If you have a hard time reading the letters on the wall in different sizes, we will test a series of lenses to determine what your prescription should be.
Depending on your age and circumstances, we may want to test for glaucoma. This is a pressure test where we use puffs of air that can feel a bit weird but is very quick. We may need to dilate your eyes, which will not prevent you from seeing, however your pupils will become very large for a few hours and your eyesight may be sensitive to light so having sunglasses with you is a good idea.
If you already wear glasses bring them with you and if you are a contact lens wearer, have them in or bring them with you as well. It is a good idea to bring both if you wear both, unless your doctor advises you otherwise. During the exam with contacts, it is common for your doctor to check out your eyes while the lenses are in to see how things are fitting and working for you. You often will then need to take them out and put them in solution temporarily so we can get a full clear view of the eye. Most of the time, you will put them back in at the end of the exam but you should always have your glasses with you just in case.
What’s really cool, is that we will be able to determine your prescription right away. Should you wish to utilize contacts, we can discuss your options- brands, length of use, etc. We can help you make the best choice specifically for your eyes and help you place an order to have the new ones come in as soon as possible. If you are ready for new glasses, our team can also show you your options on frames and then lenses.
No matter what your outcome may be, it is always important to have your annual eye exam. Not only do you want to ensure that you have the correct prescription to give you the optimal vision possible, but also to make sure there are no early signs of something more serious. At Perich Eye Centers, we can give you a comfortable, confident experience to know that your eye sight is the best and healthiest it can be.
