An ophthalmology visit is simple and straightforward. The tests are designed to look for any chronic eye problems or diseases and check the health of your eyes. How often you need one depends on your age, family history, or any pre-existing conditions that need monitoring. What can you expect during an ophthalmology appointment?
What Tests Are Performed During a Ophthalmology Visit?
Expect the entire visit will take approximately 90 minutes including the dilation. You can expect the following tests to be performed:
A Comprehensive Examination
A visit to an ophthalmologist is not a simple eye test or screening for glasses. It may be determined that you need glasses, but a comprehensive exam is much more. An ophthalmologist like Dr. Matthew Hecht is an eye physician who can perform surgery and treat eye diseases.
Preliminary Discussion
Your exam will begin with a discussion about your medical history, family history of vision problems, and whether you wear glasses or contact lenses. You will share with the technician all your medications and supplements. Some of the first few tests may be performed by an ophthalmic technician.
Test for Medical Acuity
Each eye is tested to determine your best distance and close vision. You will be asked to name letters on an eye chart known as the Snellen Chart. They will get smaller, and you will be asked to name the smallest you can read.
Refraction
This will determine if you need glasses and what your prescription should be. It will also identify astigmatism. This is performed via a phoropter and you will be asked which is clearer… 1…2…etc. Most of us are familiar with this test and it shows your best possible vision.
Additional Tests to Expect
Other brief tests include:
- Pupil response to a light shined into your eyes. This tells the doctor if it is being correctly sent to the brain.
- Eye muscle coordination shows if your eyes are functioning alone and together.
- Side vision test demonstrates if you can see peripheral vision. It can be done simply with fingers out to the side, or this can be performed via a visual field test. This problem can be due to glaucoma or a stroke.
- A dilated eye exam is another part of the vision exam, which is completed by having dilating drops inserted into both your eyes. It may sting for a minute. Your vision will become cloudy and unclear. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes for full dilation.
Medical Part of the Exam
Once you are fully dilated, Dr. Hecht completes the remaining tests.
Slit Lamp Exam
Here, your ophthalmologist shines a light into each eye and uses a special microscope to look at the front of your eye looking for cataracts, scars, or other issues on the cornea. After, they look at the back of the eye including the optic nerve, vitreous, and retina to determine any diseases or worrisome areas.
Glaucoma Screening
Here your ophthalmologist checks the pressure in your eyes known as intraocular pressure. A drop of anesthetic numbs your eye, and Dr. Hecht touches your cornea with a tonometer device to check your eye pressure. It does not hurt and you feel nothing. Another way to test eye pressure is a puff of air in your eye which estimates your eye pressure.
Follow Up
Once all the tests are completed, you will learn if there are any issues and will be given a time for another ophthalmology visit depending on the findings.
Contact Hecht Eye Institute to schedule your ophthalmology visit and comprehensive eye examination and protect your eyes from disease. Give us a call at (310) 370-5648 or request an appointment through our secure online form.
Ophthalmic Exam: Frequency, Procedure & More (healthline.com)
Standard ophthalmic exam Information | Mount Sinai – New York
