Experts at the American Academy of Optometry say that busy schedules and limited insurance coverage prevent people from getting routine eye exams. Others don’t have eye exams because they feel that their prescription glasses are still good. Eye exams help determine the current status of your optic health. If it has been a while since you had an eye exam, here’s what you should know about what to expect when you get one.
 

Health History Form

Once you enter your eye care provider’s clinic, you will receive a health history form. This document will give your eye doctor enough information about your medications, health conditions, daily activities, habits, and recreation. If you prefer to fill it out at the clinic, make sure you arrive earlier than your set appointment time.
 

Consultation

Before you enter the exam room, your eye specialist will review your health history. It is also an opportunity to discuss any eye issues based on your specific health condition.
 

Glaucoma Test

An increase in your IOP (intraocular pressure) is an indication of glaucoma. Your eye doctor will measure the exact pressure inside your eye through a glaucoma test. If your glaucoma doesn’t receive early treatment, you will experience loss of vision and optic nerve damage.
 

Cover Exam

This is a method that helps determine how well your eyes work in sync with each other. You will look at something near and distant. Your eye specialist will cover your eyes with a paddle alternately. Doing so will tell your eye care provider how each eye registers the object it is seeing.
 

Refraction Test

With the help of an automatic phoropter, your eye specialist will flip lenses with different focal lengths in front of your eyes. Your eye doctor will keep asking you which lens enables you to see properly until your final prescription is determined.
 

Perimetry Test

This is a test that your eye specialist will conduct if it is necessary. Here, your eye doctor will determine how well your peripheral vision is. There might be blind spots that indicate tumors, stroke, or glaucoma.
 

Dilation Eye Exam

Before this test starts, our eye doctor will give you pupil dilating eye drops. After 15 minutes, the full dilation will enable your specialist to see the internal structures of your eye. The eye dilating drops cause light sensitivity. You should bring a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes after your eye exam. You must also ask someone to drive you home.
 

Binocular Slit-Lamp Exam

This is often used with a tool called the biomicroscope. It allows your eye specialist to see your eyes’ internal structures and check if there are signs of disease or infection.
 

A complete eye exam can help start the treatments that you need and provide you with updated prescription eyewear. At Optical Masters, we make sure that our patients achieve optimal eye health. Please visit our clinics in Denver, Colorado, for a one-on-one consultation. You can also call us at 720-780-8881 (Monaco), 720-780-9970 (Federal), or 720-782-2190 (University). That way, we can help schedule your appointment or answer your questions about our routine eye exam packages.