What to Expect During an Eye Test

Eye tests, also known as eye exams, are a series of procedures used to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. During an eye test, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) will use various instruments and lights to examine your eyes.

Who Performs Eye Tests?

There are three types of eye specialists who can perform eye tests:

1. Ophthalmologists: Medical doctors who can perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, and diagnose and treat eye diseases with medication or surgery.
2. Optometrists: Evaluate vision, prescribe corrective lenses, and diagnose and manage eye conditions with prescription medication. They refer complex cases to ophthalmologists.
3. Opticians: Fill prescriptions for glasses, prepare and fit glasses, and sometimes sell contact lenses. They do not diagnose or treat eye conditions.

What Conditions Are Checked During an Eye Test?

During an eye test, the doctor will check for various conditions, including:

– Vision acuity
– Refraction of the lens
– Retina exam (direct and indirect)
– Shape of the cornea
– Visual field and range of vision
– Intraocular pressure
– Glaucoma
– Age-related macular degeneration
– Cataracts
– Diabetic retinopathy

Additional Diagnostic Procedures

Depending on the results of the initial eye test, the doctor may prescribe additional diagnostic procedures, such as:

– Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
– Fundus photography
– Fluorescein angiography
– Topography
– Automated visual field testing

Why Are Eyes Dilated During an Eye Test?

To allow for a thorough examination of the eyes, the doctor may use special eye drops to dilate the pupils. This helps the doctor to:

– Examine the entire retina, macula, and optic nerve
– Check for abnormalities such as eye tumors, torn or detached retina, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts