Eye exams allow optometrists to monitor the health of patients' eyes, screen for common eye diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses to those who need them. People who wear contacts should see their optometrist every year, but everyone should get their eyes checked at least once every few years, even if they have perfect vision. Here are some things that patients can do to ensure a successful and productive eye exam:
1. Fill out a pre-visit assessment.
Before you arrive at your appointment, your doctor may ask you to fill out a pre-visit assessment. This medical assessment can give your doctor vital information about your overall eye health. You will be asked if you wear corrective lenses. If you do, you will be asked to indicate the brand you typically wear, as well as your prescription strength. You may be asked questions about your overall health since certain systemic health conditions can also affect the health of your eyes. Answer each question as well as you can, and be prepared to discuss your answers. Your optometrist will go over your responses with you during your eye exam.
2. Let your optometrist know how long it's been since your last eye exam.
You should also tell your optometrist how long it's been since the last time you had an eye exam. If it's been more than a few years, you will have to have your eyes dilated. Pupil dilation allows eye doctors to see the back of a person's eyes, which can allow them to diagnose dangerous diseases such as glaucoma.
3. Wear your contacts or glasses.
If you normally wear contact lenses or glasses, you should wear them to your appointment. Your optometrist will want to see how your glasses or contact lenses fit in order to see if there's room for improvement. Optometrists can also check the condition of your corrective lenses, which will let them know if you've been caring for your glasses and contacts properly. Eye doctors can provide patient education for people who need to take better care of their glasses or contacts.
4. Consent to all the tests that your doctor recommends.
Finally, you should agree to all the tests that your optometrist suggests. Eye exams typically consist of a number of different tests performed using various pieces of equipment and machines. Each test is designed to check a specific facet of your eye health or visual acuity, so it's important to undergo all of them. Contact an optometrist for more information regarding eye exams.
There are a number of medical professionals who you should be seeing on a regular basis, but one that tends to be forgotten about is the optometrist. Even if you do not have trouble seeing clearly, it's a good idea to get an eye exam every year or two, just to ensure nothing is amiss. After all, optometrists do more than prescribe glasses. They can also diagnose conditions like glaucoma and cataracts, which are easier to manage when detected early.
If you would like to learn a little more about what happens when you see the optometrist and why this is so important, read the articles on this website. They're all dedicated to optometry and eye health.