Eye Exams Explained - What The Doctors Are Looking For

Do you get nervous when you think about going to the eye doctor? Most people think that compared to a general practitioner visit, a trip to the eye doctor is a piece of cake. However, there are some people and children who get a little freaked out when it comes to getting an eye exam. Most of the anxiety comes from not knowing exactly what the eye professional is doing or what they are looking for. They sit you in a darken room, ask you to read letters no one could possibly see, and then push a large contraption in front of your face and ask you to look through it. It can be intimidating and alarming to some. Eye exams should not be something you fear however. If you want to know exactly what's going on during the exam, read these explanations before your visit. You will feel better knowing exactly what to expect.

One of the first tests your doctor will perform during your eye exam is the retinoscopy. This is where the doctor dims the lights in the room and asks you to stare at a large letter board that almost always starts with a large "E"�. When you are looking toward the "E"�, the doctor will shine a light at your eye and often will flip a lens filled machine in front of your eye as well. The way the light reflects from your eye tells the doctor your prescription.

Next, the doctor will perform a refraction test, which is the portion of the test that will determine your exact prescription. A phoropter is placed in from of your eye and you will be asked to distinguish between many different lens choices. The doctor will likely ask you which lenses appear clearer than others. This whole process helps determine your level of astigmatism, helps figure out if you are farsighted or nearsighted, and will detect presbyopia.

A glaucoma test is often performed as well at your eye exam. This test has several different variations. Your doctor will probably use the "air"� test, which is technically called the non-contact tonometer. The test measures the pressure in your eye, which can tell the doctor whether or not you have glaucoma or not. You will sit in a chair and rest your chin in a rest. You will push your forehead forward against a forehead rest. Next the machine will shine a light at your eye and you will feel a small puff of air in your air. This is a painless test. Most people are only startled slightly by the puff of air. Many do not even feel it however and will only hear the noise that came with the puff of air.

When you get an eye exam, the doctor will not only be able to tell if you need a prescription or not, but they will also be able to see other things about your health. The eye doctor will notice if there are any irregularities in your eye, other than vision. They also can often detect warning signs of high blood pressure and diabetes. Getting an eye exam can help you see better as well as alert you to any other problems you may be unaware of.

If you have children who are a bit afraid of the eye doctor, consider calling ahead to talk with the nurse or doctor about your child's anxiety. Most doctors will have special charts they use for children, especially if your child is not old enough to read letters. They will not likely do the glaucoma test either, so you won't have to worry about your child being startled by that portion of the visit. Most often the doctor will show them pictures and have them point in order to get the results they need. Explaining to your child exactly what will occur during the visit is the best way to lessen their anxiety about the trip. Keep in mind that adults can also have anxiety when it comes to the eye doctor, so don't feel bad if you are one of them. Just stay calm and know that this is one of the few medical exams in life that is completely painless. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of and better sight to gain.