What to Expect from an Eye Exam

Several types of tests may be performed to determine your visual health and acuity. This exam usually lasts 20 - 30 minutes. For children, the exam is changed to emphasize the child’s visual development and eye movement control.

 

Patient History

When you first visit our eye clinic, a thorough patient history is taken to learn more about your general health, ocular and family history and any vision problems you may by experiencing.

 

Retinal Camera

A photo of the back of your eyes is taken in order to give us a better understanding of your ocular health as well as to have a document that can be referred to if changes occur over time. 

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Visual Acuity Tests

A visual acuity test is often the first test performed to determine the sharpness of your vision. These tests use a monitor to measure your visual acuity at a distance. 

 

Colour Blindness Test

A colour blindness screening may be performed in young patients. This simple test can detect hereditary color vision deficiencies as well as other health problems in adults.

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Retinoscopy and Autorefractor

Retinoscopy, also another test that may come early in your eye exam, is used to help determine your eyeglass prescription. A light will shine in your eyes and the refractive error is evaluated by the movement of the reflected light from inside your retina. This test is especially helpful for diagnosing vision problems in children.

 

Refraction

A refraction test determines your exact eyeglass prescription. Using an instrument called a phoropter that’s placed in front of your eyes, a series of lens choices are shown. Based on your ability to see through these lenses, the final eyeglass prescription is decided.

 

Slit Lamp Exam

In order to examine the total health of your eyes, a slit lamp is used. This device allows us to receive a magnified view of your eye structures. Using a special high-powered lens, an interior view of you eye can be achieved. This aids in the diagnosis of a wide range of eye conditions, including corneal ulcers, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

 

Tonometry

Your eye care professional can diagnosis the onset of glaucoma by taking a pressure reading of your eyes. Yellow drops are placed in your eyes to numb them for approximately 20 minutes. While examining your eye using a blue light, eye pressure can be measured. This test takes only a few seconds and is painless.

 

Pupil Dilation & Retinal Examination

In order to obtain a better view of the interior structures of your eyes, the pupils are enlarged with dilating drops. After about 20 minutes, your pupils will dilate and cause you to be sensitive to light. You may have trouble focusing on objects up close and this effect can last up to 3 hours. Depending on your job, it may be advisable to take off work for a few hours until the effects subside. It is recommended that you bring sunglasses to the eye exam and/or a driver because driving will be difficult if not impossible. This test allows us to thoroughly evaluate your ocular health. Even if your vision is 20/20, there may be an underlying disease that can be detected in its earliest stages.

 

In addition to a complete eye examination, it may be advisable to order more specialized tests. If this is the case, you may be referred to a local ophthalmologist.