Eye exams are an important part of preventive health.
An eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision because it can detect
eye problems at their earliest stage - when they're most treatable. Regular
eye exams give your eye care professional a chance to help you correct or
adapt to vision changes. And eye care specialists can give you expert tips
on reducing eyestrain and caring for your eyes.
A complete eye exam involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. It doesn't hurt. Your doctor may use odd-looking instruments, aim bright lights directly at your eyes and request that you look through a seemingly endless array of lenses. Each test evaluates a different aspect of your vision.
The eye exam usually begins with your doctor asking about your medical history and any vision problems you might be experiencing. Next, your eye doctor makes a quick check of your eyes using a light to ensure the exterior parts of your eyes are functioning correctly. Finally, your doctor measures your visual acuity, assesses your need for glasses and examines your eyes for signs of disease. Part of the examination, such as taking your medical history and the initial eye test, may be performed by a technician who assists your doctor.
If you're seeing a new eye doctor or you're having your first eye exam, expect questions about your vision history. Your answers to these questions help your eye doctor understand your risk of eye disease and vision problems. Be prepared to give specific information, including:
If you wear contact lenses, bring them to your appointment. Your eye doctor will want to make sure your prescription is the best one for you.
