It is not everyday that one might need to visit an eye doctor for a
checkup. However, not getting an appointment and checkups from time to time can
also be negligent. That is why while still there is time, one needs to opt for comprehensive eye exams.
To get a comprehensive eye exam, you can make an appointment with an
optometrist or ophthalmologist.
A comprehensive eye exam takes around sixty minutes to complete and
includes many tests from pupil reaction to depth perception and color
blindness. The doctor may also review family history, medications, allergies,
and other medical conditions that could affect your vision before performing
the tests.
There are different reasons why someone might need a comprehensive eye
exam. If you're having trouble with your vision, such as blurriness or double
vision, then you should schedule an appointment to get checked out.
If you experience any of the following symptoms during or after playing
sports, then you must get a comprehensive eye exam:
• Eye pain and redness
• Blurred vision
During an eye exam, your doctor may test for:
Vision issues - The doctor
will ask about your visual history and perform an external examination of the
eyes to see if there is anything wrong with them. Your doctor will also
administer tests such as reading an eye (near vision testing), pupil reaction,
and cover testing. These tests vary for infants and adults, but they all
determine the size and shape of your peripheral vision.
Visual fields - A visual
field test determines the extent of your peripheral vision. If you have a
cataract or other type of eye disease that is blocking your central vision,
then this test can help determine if there's any damage to your peripheral
vision as well.
Contraction of the pupil - When light enters the eye, it causes the pupils (the black part in the
center of our eyes) to contract (get smaller).
Eye chart for refraction - An eye chart is typically a chart that contains different symbols or
letters of different sizes. The doctor will ask you which symbols on the chart
are clear and easy to see from a distance at a certain point in time. This
determines your current visual acuity.
Repeated eye movement - When we move our eyes, it takes some time for them to catch up to where
we want them to look. A repeated eye movement test measures how long it takes
the eyes to get back into position after moving from side to side. After this
test, you should experience little or no double vision when looking straight
ahead.
Eye muscle coordination - This is done by asking the patient to follow an object with just one
eye while looking straight ahead and then switching focus onto another object.
A person with eye muscle coordination problems will experience double vision
when just one eye focuses on the object.
Refraction of the cornea - This determines whether your eyes are "near-sighted"
(myopic), "far-sighted" (hyperopic), or if there is something else
wrong with them so that they can't focus properly. The doctor will ask you to
look at an eye chart while looking through lenses of different strengths, which
determine your prescription for contacts or glasses.
Visual field testing - This measures how much peripheral vision you have after considering any
loss in central vision due to cataracts and other conditions.
So, how do you know if your eye health is good? The best way to find out
is by getting a comprehensive eye exam.