3 Tests Your Eye Doctor Might Perform During An Eye Exam
Even if you don't need a prescription for contact lenses or glasses to see, it is important that you visit the eye doctor anyway. The eye doctor, when you visit him, will perform a number of different tests. These tests help detect any problems that may be occurring or any signs of potential eye disease. If you have never been to the eye doctor before, you should know a few of the tests that the eye doctor might perform on you.
Slit Lamp Exam
A Slit Lamp is an instrument that allows the eye doctor to see a magnified and three-dimensional view of various parts of the eye. It allows the doctor to detect certain eye problems while they are early in their development. The clear part of the eye, in front of the lens is called the cornea. It is easily visible and able to be examined by this procedure. Other parts such as the lens, the iris and the front part of the gel that fills the eyeball are also easily viewed. The doctor can add a lens to the Slit Lamp to see the deeper parts such as the optic nerve, the retina where the image is focused by the lens and the drainage angle where fluid drains from the eye.
Visual Field Test
The Visual Field Test is used to map the scope of vision for each eye separately. The most common problem that the doctor is looking for with this test is glaucoma damage to the optic nerve. It also detects drooping eyelids interfering with vision, retinal disease and problems with the visual signals being sent to the brain. One eye is completely covered during the test. It can be done crudely by having the patient stare at a central object and identify the number of fingers being held up at a position to the periphery of the patient. A more sophisticated test involves a machine with computerized measurements of the ability to see the periphery when staring straight ahead.
Eye Dilation
The eye is dilated to enable the eye doctor to have a better view of things going on inside the eye. It is accomplished by adding some drops to the eye. The pupil enlarges like it does when one is in low light. Once the exams that require dilation are completed, the patient is usually given a temporary pair of dark glasses to shield the eyes until the effects wear off. Some temporary glare or yellow hue to one's vision will occur.
Remember that you need to visit the eye doctor regularly in order to check for signs of potential trouble or visual deterioration. It's much easier to solve an issue if it is caught early on, and the eye doctor (such as one from http://arizonaeyes.net) can do that for you!