When was the last time you thought about your eyes? For most of us, unless there’s a problem, our eyes don’t get much attention. But just like the rest of our body, they need regular check-ups. Before we dive into the steps of an eye examination, let’s understand why they’re so crucial.
Eye exams are not just about determining if you need glasses or a new prescription. They are a comprehensive check-up for your eyes, capable of detecting early signs of eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration before they become serious
Here are the steps involved in our comprehensive eye examination:
Step 1: History Taking
Your examination starts even before our optometrist looks into your eyes. You’ll be asked about your medical history, any vision problems you’re experiencing, and any family history of eye conditions. This information provides a baseline and guides the focus of the examination.
Step 2: Visual Acuity Test
The first actual test of the eye exam measures your visual acuity. This is where you’ll read from an eye chart, which assesses how well you can see at various distances. It’s a quick way to determine if you need corrective lenses or if your current prescription is up to date.
Step 3: Preliminary Test
Before diving into more specific tests, our optometrist might conduct a series of preliminary assessments. These can include evaluating your eye movement coordination, peripheral vision, and how your pupils respond to light. These tests help identify potential problems that require further investigation.
Step 4: Eye Muscle Assessment
Our optometrist will assess how well your eyes focus, work together, and track moving objects. These tests can identify issues contributing to eye strain or difficulties with reading and other tasks requiring precise visual performance.
Step 5: Eye Pressure Measurements
Our optometrist will assess the pressure of your eyes. This test is often associated with the puff of air, measures the pressure inside your eyes, and is critical for glaucoma screening.
Step 6: Refraction
If the visual acuity test indicates you need vision correction, the next step is a refraction assessment. This test helps the optometrist to determine your exact lens prescription. Through a series of lenses placed in front of your eyes, you’ll be asked which makes the letters on the eye chart clearer.
Step 7: Eye Health Evaluation
Here’s where the eye exam goes deeper. Using various instruments, our optometrist will examine the health of your eyes. They’ll look at the external parts of your eyes, like the eyelids and cornea, and the internal parts, such as the retina and optic nerve. This comprehensive evaluation can detect eye diseases and conditions early on.
Step 8: Discussion and Plan
After all the tests, our optometrist will discuss the findings with you. If any issues are detected, they’ll recommend a plan of action—starting treatment for an eye condition, updating your prescription, or scheduling follow-up visits. This is also your chance to ask questions and address any concerns.
In addition to regular eye examinations, you can do more to protect your vision. Here are a few tips to take care of your vision
- Limit screen time to reduce eye strain and dryness
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays
- Eat a balanced diet of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to support eye health
- Exercise regularly to improve overall health
Conclusion
Eye examinations seem like another appointment to squeeze into your busy schedule. Still, they’re crucial to maintaining your eye health and overall well-being. By understanding what happens during an eye exam and taking active steps towards eye care, you’re setting yourself up for clearer vision and a healthier future.
Remember, your eyes are your windows to the world—take good care of them!
If you’re due for an examination or have concerns about your eye health, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with United Eyecare.
United Optometrist @ Square 2 (Novena MRT🚇)
⏰ Mon-Sun 11.30am – 8pm
📲 WhatsApp: 98251377
📞 63976885
United Eyecare @ Boon Keng MRT🚇
⏰ Mon-Sun 10.30am – 7.30pm
📲 WhatsApp: 88070495
📞 62978298
