As someone who values eye health, you may be curious about what happens during a comprehensive eye exam. You will feel more informed and prepared if you know the entire process.

Welcome and Patient History

The first step in any comprehensive eye exam is a warm welcome from the doctor or office staff. They will gather some basic information about you. This includes your age, general health, and known eye issues or concerns. 

This is an excellent time to provide relevant medical history, previous eye exams, and family history of eye problems. This information helps the doctor better understand your eye health and tailor the exam to your needs.

Visual Acuity Test

The next step is a visual acuity test. This gauges your ability to see clearly at different distances. The doctor will ask you to read or identify letters, numbers, or shapes on an eye chart. This test aids the eye doctor in determining whether you have a refractive error or other vision problems.

Refraction Test

Refraction testing may be necessary if the eye doctor thinks you require glasses or contact lenses. During this test, the doctor will use a phoropter to test your eyesight. This helps determine the exact prescription that will provide the best vision correction for you.

Eye Health Evaluation

The next step in a comprehensive eye exam is a thorough eye health evaluation. Using various equipment, the doctor will examine your cornea, iris, lens, and retina, among other eye structures. Moreover, they will measure the intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma. If ignored, this significant eye problem might result in vision loss.

Eye Alignment and Eye Teaming Tests

The eye doctor may also perform tests to assess your eye alignment and eye teaming abilities. These tests evaluate how well your eyes work as a team to focus, track, and move. Proper eye coordination is essential for reading, writing, and sports tasks.

Additional Testing

The eye doctor may perform additional tests befitting your age, overall health, and existing eye conditions or concerns. They could involve exams for peripheral vision, depth perception, and color vision. The eye doctor may dilate your pupils to look inside your eyes. This will enable a more thorough assessment of the retina and optic nerve.

Discussion of Findings and Recommendations

After completing all the necessary tests, the eye doctor will discuss their findings with you. They will provide recommendations for your eye health. If you require corrective eyewear, the doctor will discuss the prescription and options available. 

They may also recommend eye exercises, vision therapy, or other treatments if there are eye teaming or coordination issues. The eye doctor will describe the condition and hazards and suggest treatment for any eye health issues.

Follow-up Care

The final step in a comprehensive eye exam is scheduling follow-up appointments or treatments. The eye doctor may advise routine eye exams to keep track of your eyesight and eye health. 

This is especially important if you already have an eye disease or a family history of eye issues. Follow-up appointments may also be necessary for fitting and picking up glasses or contact lenses. To maintain optimum eye health, adhere to the doctor's advice for routine eye exams and required treatments.

Conclusion

Maintaining sound eye health requires routine comprehensive eye exams. By comprehending the steps involved, you will be more prepared and knowledgeable for your subsequent visit to the eye doctor.

For more on comprehensive eye exams, visit Premier Eye Care Optometry at our office in San Bernardino, California. Call (909) 757-0700 to book an appointment today.