What Will Happen Before, During and After the Eye Appointment?

What to Expect at An Eye Appointment

If you currently wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them with you to your appointment. Depending on the size and type of the office, you will more than likely be greeted by a receptionist or an optician. They will then take your name and ask you to fill out a sheet of information about your medical and eye health history.

Once your paperwork has been completed, you will be shown to the examining room where the doctor will perform tests of your vision and also check for disease. After a thorough examination has been completed, you will be asked to wait until your prescription has been written. If you need vision correction, usually an optician will work with you to find the glasses or contact lenses that are best suited to you. At that time, you will make payment arrangements, and set up your appointment for next year.

Tests and Procedures During an Eye Assessment

Your eye assessment should include the following:

• An examination of the interior and exterior of your eye.
• The doctor will check for signs of eye disease or general health problems, such as diabetes or hardening of the arteries that may show up initially in the eyes.
• Adults will be checked for eye pressure and field of vision to help diagnose glaucoma.
• A test of your visual acuity or ability to see sharply and clearly at near and far distances.
• Various tests can be used to determine the visual acuity of infants, children and adults.
• These are fairly simple and can be performed by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, technician, nurse or optician.
• One common type of test used for children or adults who cannot yet read is the Random E’s Visual Acuity Test. The patient is asked to identify the direction that the letter "E" opens to by holding out 4 fingers to mimic the letter "E." This test is safe, there are no risks involved and it works just as well as most other tests.
• Tests to determine the presence of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, depth perception problems and, in people over age 40, presbyopia (an age-related condition affecting reading vision).
• A test determining eye coordination and eye muscle function. This confirms that the eyes are working properly together.
• A test of the ability to change focus easily from near to far, and then far to near.