A Guide To Eye Exam: Types of Eye Test To Expect

Our eyes help us in numerous ways that we can’t possibly outline in this article. For this reason, it’s essential to adopt and practice proper eye care habits to ensure that our eyes always stay in good condition. Besides caring for your eyes at home, visiting our eye doctor or optometrist regularly for an exam will keep you updated with the health of your eyes.

During the exam, the doctor uses a series of tests to evaluate your eyes’ health and check for eye problems. Even though you don’t have any present eye defects or symptoms, an eye examination is still essential. Some eye conditions may not present notable symptoms in their early stages.

The doctor can easily notice such conditions and treat them before they progress to serious stages. This saves you money, and most importantly, it saves you the trouble of dealing with worse symptoms. To speak with a professional optometrist in Vaughan, contact Dr. Allyson Tang Optometrist.

Types of Eye Tests Performed During an Eye Exam

If you’re curious about what goes on during an eye exam, below we’ve highlighted seven standard eye tests performed during an eye exam.

1. Applanation Tonometry

The test is used to determine the amount of pressure necessary to flatten a portion of the cornea. During the test, the doctor gives you drops to numb the eyes and then presses lightly on the cornea with a tonometer. The pressure readings are essential in diagnosing and evaluating the risk for glaucoma.

2. Corneal Topography

It’s a computerized test map that is used to detect problems with the eye’s surface. Commonly, doctors use this test to check for astigmatism, keratoconus, swelling, and scarring. It’s also essential during a contact lens fitting and cornea transplant.

3. Dilated Pupillary Exam

A doctor may perform this test routinely or if they suspect that there’s a problem with your retina. During the test, the doctor uses special drops to expand the eye’s pupil to check for signs of disease.

4. Refraction

It’s a standard test used to evaluate eyeglasses prescription. During the test, you’re given a phoropter to look through a chart, approximately 20 feet away, or a mirror that shows things like they’re 20 feet away.

The doctor then moves lenses of different strengths in front of your eyes and asks you whether things look blurry or clear. They will use your answers to prescribe your glasses or contact lenses. This test is also used to detect hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

5. Slit-lamp Exam

This test is used to diagnose various eye conditions such as cataracts, detached retina, macular degeneration, glaucoma, cornea injuries, and dry eye disease. During the test, the doctor uses a microscope to shine a beam of light on your eye. The beam mimics the shape of a small slit. In certain circumstances, the doctor may need to dilate the pupils and use a lens to evaluate your retina.

When to Have an Eye Exam

There are few factors that determine how frequently you should see an eye doctor. These include your overall health, age, and risk of developing eye conditions.

A comprehensive children’s eye exam at the age of 3 – 5 years is essential to check for eye alignment and vision problems. After that, your child’s doctor should recommend how frequent the eye exams should be.

Healthy adults without any symptoms of eye problems should have a complete eye health exam every 2-3 years. For people aged 40 to 60 and above, their eyes should be checked every 1 – 2 years. For an adult eye exam near you in Vaughan, contact Dr. Allyson Tang, Optometrist.

You should have more regular eye exams if:

• You wear contact lenses or glasses.
• Have a family background of vision loss or eye problems.
• Have a chronic disease that increases the risk of developing eye problems such as diabetes.
• Take medication that has eye-related side effects.

Final Words

If you’re considering an eye exam or have more questions about eye exams, visit an optometrist near you for more information. For eye exams in Vaughan, ON, contact Dr. Allyson Tang, Optometrist, today to book your appointment. We also serve nearby areas like Vellore Woods Park, Maple, Sherwood, Vaughan business park, Rutherford Road, Pine Grove Road, & Davos Road.