What To Expect at Your Eye Doctor Visit

Your first encounter with an eye doctor, also known as an optometrist, involves an assessment and discussion of your reason for the visit. You can see an optometrist for an eye exam, contact lens exam, or treatment of eye diseases and disorders. Optometrists also treat dry eyes, headaches and eye strains, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Here’s what to expect at your visit:

Initial Eye Assessment

During your first visit, the eye doctor assesses your medical history, current vision, symptoms, and medications. A medical history review involves asking questions about current and past eye conditions and if you have a family history of eye problems. Expect questions about any changes or issues you’ve noticed recently and treatments you’ve pursued. You can bring a medication list to help the doctor determine if any drugs you’re currently taking affect your vision or eye health. The first visit also involves a visual acuity test, which involves reading letters from an eye chart at a distance, one eye at a time. The test assesses your ability to see clearly at a distance. You may also be tested for close-up vision.

Eye Health Evaluation

A thorough evaluation of your eye health may be recommended based on the doctor’s initial assessment. They examine your cornea, lenses, and eyelids using a sit-lamp exam. Doctors also examine the retinas and optical nerves using a retinal exam and screen for eye conditions like glaucoma. The eye health evaluation may include a refraction test to determine your prescription for glasses and contact lenses. The test helps to identify the correct prescription for refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. You may be asked to look through a phoropter with different lenses to find the suitable combination for your vision. The doctor can also use an autorefractor to measure your prescription.

Additional Eye Tests

Your doctor may recommend additional eye tests like pupil dilation to assess your overall eye health and visual needs. A dilated eye exam involves drops that widen your pupils for detailed retinal evaluation. The doctor can also use a visual field test to check for peripheral vision issues and blind spots. Other assessments include color vision test, pupil test, tonometry, and eye muscle test. Color vision test involves identifying colors and shapes within patterns to assess your color vision. Pupil tests shine a light into your eyes to assess how your pupils react, while eye muscle tests involve following a moving object to check eye muscle coordination. Sit lamp tests use a special microscope to examine the cornea, iris, and lens. Tonometry tests measure the pressure inside your eyes to detect glaucoma.

Contact Lens Exam

A contact lens exam is usually conducted if you’re interested in wearing eye contacts, which offer a more natural appearance. Contacts can also correct visual issues caused by keratoconus or laser surgeries. The exam includes keratometry, which measures the curve of your cornea to determine the proper fit. Your doctor can also perform a tear film evaluation to check if you’re at risk for dry eyes, which impact contact lens comfort.

Contact lens exams help the doctor pick the right option for your needs and eye condition. They can recommend multifocal lenses if you’re older or scleral lenses for keratoconus, dry eyes, and faulty laser surgery. Soft contact lenses offer peak performance in sports. Other options include rigid gas permeable, hybrid, and astigmatism lenses.

Visit an Experienced Eye Doctor Today

Optometrists offer many services, including eye condition diagnosis, myopia management, and ultrasounds. They also provide recommendations for eye care, treatment, and follow-up appointments. You can schedule an appointment and bring your current glasses, contacts, and a list of vision changes or symptoms. Speak to an eye doctor today to find out more about their services and what to expect during your visit.