What Happens During A Comprehensive Eye Exam?

What To Expect During Your Eye Exam

Here's what typically happens during a comprehensive eye exam:

1. Medical History and Symptoms
   The first step is to take your medical history and ask about any current symptoms or concerns you may have. This information helps the eye doctor understand your overall health and identify any risk factors for certain eye diseases. They may also ask about your family's eye health history.
2. Visual Acuity Test
   Next, the eye doctor will perform a visual acuity test to measure how well you see at various distances. This typically involves reading letters on a chart, with each line getting progressively smaller. This test helps the doctor identify any vision problems and determine if corrective lenses like eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed.
3. Refraction Test
   If you need eyeglasses or contact lenses, a refraction test will be performed to determine your prescription. During this test, the eye doctor will use a special instrument to measure the curvature of your cornea and determine the power of the lenses needed to correct your vision.
4. Eye Movement and Coordination Test
   The eye doctor will test how well your eyes move and work together. This typically involves following a moving object with your eyes or tracking a pattern of light. This test helps the doctor identify any issues with eye movement or coordination, which can cause problems like double vision or difficulty focusing.
5. Peripheral Vision Test
   A peripheral vision test checks how well you can see objects outside of your central vision. This can be done with a visual field test, where you are asked to stare at a central point while objects are presented in your peripheral vision. This test helps identify any vision loss that may be caused by conditions like glaucoma.
6. Eye Pressure Test
   An eye pressure test measures the pressure inside your eye, which can help detect glaucoma. During this test, a small puff of air or a numbing drop may be used to gently touch the surface of your eye and measure the pressure.
7. Eye Health Exam
   The eye doctor will also examine the front and back of your eye to evaluate its overall health. This involves using a slit lamp, a specialized microscope that allows the doctor to see the various structures of your eye. The eye doctor will check for signs of conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
8. Dilation
   In some cases, the eye doctor may recommend dilation, which involves using eye drops to dilate your pupils. This allows the doctor to get a better look at the back of your eye and detect any signs of eye disease that may not be visible during a regular exam. You may experience blurry vision and sensitivity to light for a few hours after the drops are administered.
    

Comprehensive Eye Exams At Sunridge Eye Clinic

A comprehensive eye exam involves a series of tests and procedures to evaluate the health of your eyes and identify any vision problems or eye diseases. By scheduling regular eye exams, you can catch eye issues early and ensure that you are taking the necessary steps to maintain good eye health.

Eye exams are an important part of healthcare. Eye exams can detect any underlying health conditions as well as any developing eye conditions that can impact vision and eye health. At Sunridge Eye Clinic in NE Calgary, our staff is committed to the health of all patients. From infants to seniors, our eye exams are designed to help you and your family stay informed about your health while learning how to care for and prevent various eye conditions. To schedule an eye exam, contact Sunridge Eye Clinic at 1-403-280-7518 or fill out the online contact form.
 

FAQ

Q: How long is a comprehensive eye exam?
A: A comprehensive eye exam will last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the tests performed by your optometrist.

Q: What should I do to prepare for an eye exam?
A: Before you go for an eye exam, you may want to: 

• Write down any questions you want to ask your optometrist, including any issues you may be experiencing.
• List any pertinent family medical history, allergies, and any medications you are currently taking.
• Bring your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription with you (if you have one) so your optometrist can analyze it.
• Enquire about which eye tests you’ll undergo, so you’ll be well prepared and calm.
• Plan your day accordingly. An eye exam can take up to 1 hour.

To learn more about comprehensive eye exams, read What To Expect From A Routine Eye Exam.

Q: Is an eye exam the only way to tell if I have these conditions?
A: No, there are many medical tests as well as various signs and symptoms of all of the health issues listed here. Your lifestyle choices and family health history also indicate if you are at an increased risk of developing certain health conditions. Eye exams are one way that can help identify health problems, but you may also want to ensure you go for regular checkups with your family doctor.