By Middlesex Eye Physicians, PE
Editor’s note: This is part 5 of an 8-part series submitted by Middlesex Eye Physicians.
We know the eye exam is not people’s favorite doctor appointment; maybe a step above having someone’s fingers in your mouth? AND we know…the benefit is vision: to see our beautiful world, our loved ones!
During an eye exam, doctors can detect early signs of eye disease or other issues that cause vision changes or impact the health of your eyes. As an exam progresses, the technician or doctor may decide on additional diagnostics, for a comprehensive picture of your eyes’ health.
Bring your list of medications; some can impact your eye’s pressure or dryness. Additionally, your medical and eye history are important for the doctor to know. If you know of any eye conditions that run in your family, please tell your doctor. You may be asked about environmental conditions, as well as your lifestyle; This helps the doctor make recommendations, such as, if you play sports, some type of goggle or sports eyewear would be suggested.
Next come measurements to evaluate how clearly each eye is seeing, which is called visual acuity. As part of the testing, you will read letters on charts at a distance as well as close-up. The results are written as a fraction, such as 20/40. The top number in the fraction is the standard distance at which all testing is done (20 feet). The bottom number is the smallest letter size you were able to read. A person with 20/40 would have to get within 20 feet to see a letter that should be seen clearly at 40 feet. Normal distance visual acuity is 20/20.
Other tests that are given include: pupil movement with a penlight, depth perception, color perception, muscle movement (eyes follow object with your head still), peripheral or side vision. Refraction is another important test that uses the phoropter machine; which determines your prescription if needed to get your vision as close to 20/20 as possible. Dilating/numbing drops are typically used for the examination part, where different magnifiers are used to see the eye topography and inside health. The doctor will use bright light in the “direct” tool to see into the eye; the slit/lamp may be used to check intraocular pressure in each eye.
Other tests include OCT, OPTOS, Lipiscan, TearLab, IOL Master, Pentacam and every patient is encouraged to ask the doctor what these tests are for and what the doctor is assessing diagnostically. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Your eyes are the only ones you get; care for them.
Insurance covers eye exams but it is best to check with your particular policy for coverage details. Since 1985, Eye America, an award-winning program, has helped more than 2 million people get sight-saving care and resources from volunteer eye doctors (ophthalmologists) across the United States. If you are over 65 years old, you can go to the website https://www.aao.org/eyecare-america and see if you qualify for free care and where you can obtain this care.
Recommendations for frequency of eye exams for infants and children can be found here:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/children-eye-screening
Recommendations for frequency of eye exams for adults can be found here: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101
