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an eye exam chart to show what you could expect during one

What to Expect During Your Eye Exam

If you’ve never had an eye exam before or it’s been a long time since your last one, you may wonder what to expect. Relax! Eye exams are usually relatively quick, painless, and can make a huge difference in your quality of life and overall health.  Regular eye exams can detect issues like glaucoma or macular degeneration early and treat them before they cause vision loss. They can also ensure that you are seeing your best and provide you with prescription glasses or contacts if you need them. Here are some of the things you can usually expect during an eye exam.

Visual Acuity Test

You’ll sit in front of an eye chart, with letters that get smaller as you read down each line. Each eye is tested individually as you read aloud, going down the chart, until you can’t read the letters anymore. This tests how clearly you can see.

Visual Field Test

A visual field test measures your peripheral vision, by determining how much area you can see in front of you without moving your eyes. Your eye doctor can map out the extent of your visual field and can use this information to help diagnose certain eye conditions.

Refraction Testing

If you need a prescription lens for vision correction, you will look through an instrument called a phoropter and your doctor will test each eye individually. You will read a line of letters as the doctor flips between different lenses, and the doctor will ask if you can see better or worse through each lens. This will help determine your exact prescription.

Glaucoma Screening

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over age 60, so it’s important to catch it early. Your eye doctor will perform a glaucoma screening test to measure the pressure inside your eye to see if you are at risk. This is either done with a device that barely touches the surface of your eye or with a machine that lets out a small puff of air into each eye. This is a fast and painless test.

Retinal Exam

To examine your retina, retinal blood vessels, optic nerve, and vitreous fluid in the back of your eye, your doctor may dilate your pupils using eye drops. These drops typically take about 20 -30 minutes to work, and then the doctor will use a special light scope to better see the back of your eye. Afterwards, your eyes may temporarily be blurry and sensitive to light. The doctor may give you sunglasses to wear or suggest someone drive you home.

Come See Us!

If you’ve been putting off getting an eye exam, don’t wait another day! Book an appointment to visit our expert eye doctors at Tyson Eye.

Tyson Eye is regarded as one of the premier eye care centers in Southwest Florida. Our surgeons and doctors have helped thousands of people enjoy better vision and have consistently introduced break-through technology to the area. We are committed to excellence by delivering modern technology with old fashioned concern.

We’re here to help you see better! Call us at 239-542-2020 today or request an appointment.

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