Eye Exams

What are eye exams?

Eye exams are in-depth evaluations of your eye that identify vision problems and eye disorders. Better Vision Eyecare offers thorough eye exams to patients of all ages.

Many eye conditions, including glaucoma (which can lead to blindness), don’t cause symptoms at first. Regular eye exams are the only way to detect these diseases before they cause irreversible damage.

Healthy patients should attend an eye exam each year. If you have sight problems or a medical condition that affects your eyes, your Better Vision Eyecare doctor will advise you how often to have your eye exam.

What does an eye exam involve?

An eye exam takes about an hour. Your eye doctor performs several tests that are likely to include:

Visual acuity

Visual acuity tests are routine exams where you read an eye chart with each eye to determine how clearly you can see.

Refraction

Refraction tests involve using a phoropter device so your doctor can try various lenses. This test identifies the lens strength that best improves your eyesight.

Motility and binocular vision

These tests determine how well your eyes work as a pair.

Peripheral vision

Peripheral vision is what you can see at the sides. Your doctor performs a visual field test to discover what you can see while keeping your eyes focused forward.

Tonometry

Tonometry is a glaucoma test that measures the pressure inside your eyeballs. Your doctor carefully touches each eye with a tool made for that purpose or puffs air briefly onto the eye.

Dilation

Dilation widens your pupils with special eye drops, allowing your doctor to see the structures inside your eye.

Eye muscle function test

For this test, you follow an object with your eyes to identify problems with the muscles controlling your eyeballs.

Pupil response test

Your pupils should dilate (get larger) when it’s dark and get smaller in bright light. Your doctor shines a light into each eye to see how your pupils respond.

Would my eye exam involve any other procedures?

You might need other tests during your eye exam if you have an existing condition or your eye doctor detects signs of a problem with your eyes.

For example, patients with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy — damage to the retina that can cause sight loss. Or if you want to wear contact lenses, keratometry measures your cornea’s shape.

Call Better Vision Eyecare today or book an appointment online to schedule an eye exam for you or your child.