Preparations Needed For A Comprehensive Eye Test
When you have difficulty in viewing, you should visit a reliable doctor for an eye test. These tests are comprehensive and are done using sophisticated equipment. They will determine whether or not your eyes are at risk.
Some factors that indicate you need an eye test:
- You have medical and health conditions such as high blood pressure
- You work on your computer for long hours or any job that needs you to use your eyes a lot and
- You take drugs that may affect your eyesight.
In addition to that, if you suffer from type 1 diabetes, you must go for an eye test every five years. On the other hand, if you suffer from type 2 diabetes, you will need such checks done every year.
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You will also need to test your eyes frequently once you cross forty years of age. However, if you do not have any problems with your eyes at that age, you may go for a routine test every 2 years.
Tests to expect
When you go for a comprehensive eye test you may expect different types of vision tests to be done according to the condition of your eyes, its needs, your age and even your family history. These are:
- Visual acuity test: This determines the sharpness of your eyesight using a projected eye chart to measure the distance as well as a small, hand-held acuity chart to measure your normal reading distance.
- Color blindness test: This determines color vision deficiencies as well as health issues that affect color vision.
- Cover test: It determines the alignment of the eyes and how well they work together.
- Ocular motility test: This checks the eye movements following a moving object and how accurately eyes can fixate on separate targets.
- Stereopsis test: This measures the depth perception as well as appreciation of the 3D objects.
- Retinoscopy: This test is done in a near-dark room using a hand-held bright light on your eyes to detect cataract or distortion of cornea called keratoconus.
- Refraction test: This is required for eyeglass prescription using a phoropter and a series of lens choices.
- Slit lamp test: In this test a biomicroscope examines your eye in high magnification to see the structures of eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, lens and iris.
- Glaucoma test: This measures the pressure inside your eyes using non-contact tonometry.
- Pupil dilation test: This test also looks at the internal structures of the eyes using dilating drops to enlarge the pupils.
- Visual field test: This is the test that detects probable existence of blind spots and restrictions in the peripheral vision.
Therefore, you can see that a comprehensive eye test may take some time to complete. Hence, come prepared and with time in your hand.
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Preparing for an eye test
You will need to bring a few things with you when you go for an eye test. The most important thing to bring with you is all information regarding your eye and family history so that the doctor knows the risks involved. Therefore, make sure that you bring a list of the prescription and non-prescription medications that you may be taking currently on a regular basis or even in the past. Make sure that the list includes:
- The names of the medicines
- The dosages
- The time you have been taking them and even
- The vitamins, herbs and supplements you take.
If you wear specs or corrective lenses currently, also carry these along with the prescription and a list of questions to discuss with the doctor.
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