Eye Exam Guide

A closer look at eye exams. Every eye exam uses the Snellen chart - the one with the big "E." But that test only identifies 20-30% of vision problems, according to the American Foundation for Vision Awareness. That's why an eye exam is so important. One thats comprehensive, administered by an eye doctor. A proper exam should last about a half-hour, and here's what you should expect:

Medical History

Your doctor will ask for information about your vision, the medications you take, your family's health history (i.e. is there a history of diabetes, glaucoma or hypertension?) as well as yours.

The Evaluations

Visual systems. Your eye doctor will perform a number of tests on the internal and external parts of your eyes using several different medical instruments. The purpose is to examine the retina, optic nerve, muscles, cornea, blood vessels, pupils, lens, iris, conjunctiva, eyelids and eyelashes.
During this stage, the doctor will perform the Fundus Evaluation, which examines the interior of the eye, specifically the retina. Its located at the rear of the eyeball and contains all of the light sensitive receptors that let us see. The doctor conducts this exam with an opthalmoscope. This procedure can detect problems such as a detached retina, cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases, as well as diabetes, high blood pressure and neurological disorders.
The doctor will also look at your eye muscles at this time, checking their ability to rotate and coordinate properly. Your eye doctor will probably want to dilate your eyes at this stage. When your eyes are dilated, your pupils enlarge, making them easier to examine.

Refractive

This part of the exam consists of many tests to determine your ability to see clearly, focus your eyes and see whether you need glasses. This is where you read the Snellen eye chart at a distance with each eye.

Disposition

At the conclusion of the exam, your eye doctor will make a final diagnosis and determine the treatment plan. The diagnosis will include the status of your vision and any health problems. It will then be determined whether you need any type of corrective eyewear or vision therapy treatment.