Basic Types Of Eye Tests

How often you should go for an eye test depends on your age and your eyes' condition. Generally, if you are below 40 years and do not have eye problems, it is good to see an optometrist every 2 years. However, if you are above 40 years, you need to go for an examination every 1-2 years. 

If you have experienced eye problems in the past or stand a risk of suffering from eye problems, you need to see an optometrist every year. You need to see an eye doctor to check for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. Here are some tests you can expect when you visit an eye clinic.

Retinoscopy

When you go for an eye checkup, your optometrist will ask you to look into a thick instrument with numerous dials and lenses. This machine is known as a phoropter. This instrument is used to perform a retinoscopy.

A retinoscopy is an eye exam done to determine which optimal lens is right for you. When you look into the instrument, the optometrist will flip different lenses before your eyes. You will be required to focus on an object in front of you. The optometrist will shine a bright light into your eyes and observe how you react to different lenses.

Slit Lamp Examination

A slit lamp works like a microscope. It magnifies the front part of your eye. The optometrist uses the slit lamp to check your eyelids, cornea, lens, iris, and lashes. They also check the fluid between your iris and cornea.

Your doctor may use a dye, also known as fluorescein. The fluorescein colors the tears over your eye. The dye helps reveal damaged cells in your eye. 

Visual Field Testing

A visual field test determines how far your eye can see when you look at a central point. This test is one way an eye doctor measures the level of vision you have in each eye and the extent of vision loss you have suffered over time. Visual field tests help check for blind spots in your vision. 

A blind spot is useful in determining how an eye condition or brain disorder is impacting your vision. For example, if you are suffering from glaucoma, the visual field test will determine whether you have any peripheral vision loss. These eye exams are also useful in checking how your vision has been affected by conditions like droopy eyelids and ptosis.

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