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Eye Test

by Rachel Lane

Eye Test. What's the fuss all about?

 

Your vision is vital and getting regular eye check-ups with your optometrist is important to help protect and preserve it, to make sure it works to its best.

An eye sight test gives your optometrist a chance to monitor your overall eye health along with your vision.

While a standard eye test can take up to 25 minutes, sometimes more detailed examinations or follow up appointments are required.

How Often Should You Have an Eye Test?

Ideally, you should have a routine eye test once every 1/2 years. You may be advised to have more regular eye tests, If you have an eye condition, or of course if you feel you have an issue with your eye sight.

What do I need to bring with me to an Eye Test?

If you already wear glasses/contact lenses or may have an old copy of your past prescription handy, or if you have a list of medications you are currently taking, be sure to take them along with you.

What will an Eye Test involve?

There are several different tests which can be used, to help check different aspects of your vision and eye health. Here is an example of a few that may be used.

  • Pretest: This is normally carried out by the optical assistant staff, and can range from 2 - 5 tests. Theses test involve, a pressure test, an auto refraction, a photograph of the back of the eye, a peripheral visual test, and possible a 3D scan of the inside of the eye. Theses test provide baseline measurements for the optometrist to work from.

  • History & Symptoms: The optometrist will ask a number of routine questions & any specific questions related to any concerns about your eyes. There will also be some general questions to answer about your overall health, such as any health conditions, medications, pervious eye health history such as treatments of surgeries and whether you have a family history of any eye conditions.

  • Vision: The optometrist will move on to checking what you can and can’t see by asking you to read random letters on the eye chart, theses letters become smaller line by line, each eye will be tested separately.

  • Cover Test: A simple test will be carried out by asking you to fixate on a letter, while the optometrist covers each eye a performs a swinging cover test. This helps determine if both eyes are working together.

  • Pupils: A pen touch will be shined into each eye to test the pupil reaction and recovery to bright light.

  • Motility: The Optometrist will ask you stare at an object in front of you, this is normal a pen touch, that is held about 12 and 16 inches away. They will move the pen

touch in a number of directions, which will help check for an abnormalities in your eye muscles.

  • Refraction: This will involve the optometrist using a number of lenses placed in front of your eye, which will help determine whether you need glasses to help you see better.

  • External exam: The optometrist will use a magnifying device, known as a slit lamp, to examine the front parts of your eye.

  • Internal exam: This will be performed by using either a a handheld torch called an ophthalmoscope, or a highly magnified lens known as a volk lens alongside the slit lamp. This helps the optometrist to examine the structures at the back of the eye.

    When do I get my Results?

    Once all the virtual tests are carried out the optometrist will be in a position to tell you whether you need glasses or not. If required they will be able to advices when best to wear them if not required to wear full time.

    They will also be able to advice on your eye health straight away, by explaining what they have found and how often to be seen. They may be able to suggest extra tips on how to best maintain your eye health or direct you to further follow ups if they were required.

What Can an Eye Test Detect?

A routine eye test is so much more than just an assessment on whether you need glasses or not. A regular eye check-up will help to pick up early signs of eye diseases and any small changes that might be occurring.

A routine eye test can help to detect a number of the medical conditions, just a few listed below:

  • Cataracts

  • Dry Eye

  • Diabetes

  • Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)

  • High blood pressure

  • Changes in vision

  • High cholesterol

The health of your eyes can provide invaluable insight into the health of your body, so regular eye tests are a must to help maintain good vision and healthy eyes and well as a healthy body.

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