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5 Things to Expect During an Eye Exam

Can you believe that around 1 billion people need glasses in the world?

Are you struggling with headaches when looking at a screen? Do you find yourself squinting to see things in the distance? If so, it’s time you go for an eye test.

In this article, we’ll look at what to expect during a medical eye exam.

1. Prepare to Answer Questions About Your History

Before the eye exam begins, you can expect to sit down with a clinical assistant. They will ask you many questions about your medical history. Come prepared with answers to questions such as:

  • Do you take any medication – which medications?
  • Have you ever worn glasses – what was the prescription?
  • Are you allergic to anything?
  • Does anyone in your family have eye problems? How about diabetes or high blood pressure?

By knowing the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to get to your eye exam more quickly!

2. Screenings using Machines

In order to test for glaucoma and conditions such as cataracts, corneal ulcers, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, you’ll be examined using two machines.

These include a slit lamp and an NCT machine. You’ll sit in front of each machine in turn, rest your head on a chin rest, and open your eyes.

With the NCT machine, a puff of air will be blown into your eye. This is painless and will take just a few seconds.

The slit lamp enables your eye doctor to look at your eye closely, including the lens, iris, cornea, and eyelids. This machine magnifies your retina and optic nerve so your eye doctor can clearly see them.

3. Testing Your Eyesight

Next, it’s time to move onto whether you need glasses or contact lenses to help you see better. Your eye doctor will test both of your eyes separately

During this exam, you’ll be asked to read letters printed on a chart. The lines will get smaller and smaller. Don’t worry if you can’t read all of the letters!

Your eye doctor will change the lenses in a set of glasses and ask you simple questions. You’ll also be asked to read print up close to gauge whether you are near or far-sighted.

4. Dilating Your Pupils

Your eye doctor may decide to dilate your pupils to get a closer look into your eye. This requires eye drops that take around half an hour to work.

This is one of the best ways to check the health of your eye. You will always receive this examination if you are at risk of eye disease. Your eye doctor will be able to closely see your eye’s internal structures.

After this examination is finished, you’ll be sensitive to light. It’s a good idea to bring sunglasses when you visit the opticians!

5. A Medical Eye Exam is a Crucial Health Checkup

If you are young, you should go for a medical eye exam every six years or so. As you get older, you should be going more frequently.

There are many other tests that may be completed during your medical eye exam. They are painless and a good indicator of your health.

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