Are you getting ready for your next eye check-up? To ensure you take the necessary steps to protect your vision, you should know what to expect at the optometrist’s office. This blog breaks down four essential tests for protecting eye health so you can step into your next appointment prepared and confident.
Visual Acuity Test
This is the classic test where you are required to read differently sized letters from a sign or screen at a distance. Visual acuity measures how clearly you see at various distances, often using a chart with rows of letters that get smaller from top to bottom.
During this process, your optometrist can catch changes in your sight quickly to address any issues with your eyesight you may not have noticed otherwise.
Refraction Test
Have you heard your optometrist ask, “Which is better, one or two?” during your exam? If the answer is yes, you’ve experienced refraction testing.
This test determines your exact prescription for eyeglasses or contacts by measuring how light bends as it passes through your eye. With accurate refraction, you’ll be able to eliminate annoying blurs and see life in focus.
Tonometry
Tonometry measures the pressure inside your eye and is key for detecting glaucoma early. However, there are some misconceptions about tonometry to address before you undergo an exam.
Some people think this test is always uncomfortable or that it only involves a “puff of air.” In reality, optometrists use several methods, including painless digital tonometers, to perform these tests. Tonometry evaluations are quick and easy and play a vital role in evaluating whether your optic nerve is damaged.
Dilated Eye Exam
During a dilated eye exam, your doctor uses special drops to widen your pupils for a better view of your retina.
Though you may notice light sensitivity and blurry vision for a few hours afterward, this test is key for spotting issues like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration before symptoms show.
Take Care of Your Vision for Life
Now that you’re familiar with these four essential tests for protecting eye health, you have the best shot at catching issues early, keeping your vision sharp, and avoiding bigger problems down the road. Remember to schedule regular exams and ask questions about any part of the process that’s unclear to you. Trust us, your eyes will thank you!
