3 Things to Let Your Eye Doctor Know During an Eye Exam

If you are preparing for an eye exam, you’ll want to make a list of things to let your eye doctor know during the visit. Always tell your doctor if you have had any changes in your vision, if you have been experiencing headaches, or if you are having any issues with one eye versus the other.

Dr. Scott Campbell, O.D. at SPEX Seattle in Seattle, WA carries out comprehensive eye evaluations along with testing methods to catch vision-threatening conditions such as macular degeneration. Ideally, you should have an eye exam every two years so you can effectively maintain and ensure your ocular health.

What to expect during an eye exam

If you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses, you will need to bring them with you during your eye exam. Also, create a list of any over the counter or prescription medications that you regularly use.

Prior to undergoing the eye exam, always let the doctor know if you have experienced any eye changes, if one eye is having issues, or if you have been having headaches from eye strain. Your health history will help the team better tailor the eye exam to address your particular problems or concerns.

An eye exam at SPEX in Seattle, WA will take from 30 to 90 minutes. Dr. Campbell will carry out an acuity test to determine the sharpness of your vision. If the doctor believes you need corrective lenses after reading the eye chart, then he will carry out refraction testing to further measure the refractive prescription. During refraction testing, a view-finder type device is used so you can view images and decide which one appears clear.

A Goldmann visual field exam (also called a visual field test) is carried out to evaluate your peripheral vision and diagnosis any other troubling eye conditions.

A cover test might also be carried out to determine how well your eyes work together. Dr. Campbell will cover each one of your eyes separately while you stare at a particular area to see how well your eyes focus. During the exam, we might also ask that you follow a small light while holding your head still.

A test is also carried out that looks for any color vision issues or limitations. Many patients might suffer from varying degrees of undiagnosed color blindness.

The final part of the eye exam will usually include a slit lamp examination which provides a magnified 3D view of all parts of your eyes such as the iris, conjunctiva, lower/upper lids, lenses, and cornea.

Dr. Campbell might also use special eye drops to widen the pupils of the eyes to examine the health of the optic nerve, retina, macula, and retinal blood vessels. He will also carry out a glaucoma test for certain patients, such as older individuals. The doctor may also dilute your pupils to further examine your eye health.

Schedule an eye exam in Seattle, WA today

If it has been two years since you have had a comprehensive eye exam, then it’s time to schedule one with Dr. Campbell at SPEX in Seattle, WA. He will listen to your concerns and questions before carrying out the exam to determine your eye health and make recommendations such as eyeglasses, contacts, or treatment for any medical issues. Contact us to schedule an eye exam.