Knowing what to expect may help put you at ease. And it may prompt you to ask questions during the exam to round out your understanding of this important procedure. In this spirit, here are the pieces of equipment that you’re likely to see during your appointment.
You’ll probably spend most of your time looking through the phoropter, the instrument fitted with various lenses, and judge whether they’re “good,” “better” or “the same.”
It determines eyeglass prescriptions, as well as if you have vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Meanwhile, the eye doctor wears a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO) on their head to have the use of both hands to examine the patient’s eyes.
A keratometer can be invaluable for finding an ideal fit for people who wear contact lenses.
The automated refraction technique is quick, simple, and painless. The patient takes a seat and places their chin on a rest. One eye at a time, they look into the machine at a picture inside. The picture moves in and out of focus as the machine takes readings to determine when the image appears on the retina. Several readings are taken, which the machine averages to form a prescription.
With special lenses, it is possible to examine the back of the eye as well. A slit lamp gives the eye practitioner an amazing view of the inside of the eyes.
A tonometer measures the production of aqueous humor, the liquid found inside the eye, and the rate at which it drains into the tissue surrounding the cornea.
Sometimes, it can serve as a good baseline for a new prescription. It can also be used to show how much a prescription has changed since the last doctor’s visit.
A retinoscope is especially useful in prescribing corrective lenses for patients who are unable to give oral feedback to the eye doctor. It is also useful for determining how well the eyes work together to see clearly.
A direct ophthalmoscope is a hand-held instrument used for examining the interior structures of the eye, especially the retina. It consists of a mirror that reflects light into the eye and a central hole through which the eye is examined.
Eye painBulging eyeDecreased vision, even if temporaryDouble visionVision blocked by partially or entirely by dark or blurred shapesLoss of peripheral visionUnusual or persistent rednessUnusual pupil size or shapeBlood in the eyeExcess tearingInjury to an eye, including a blow to the eye or chemicals splashed in the eye
These warning signs fall under the category of an emergency. You should contact your eye doctor if there has been a significant change in your eyes or your ability to see. Excessive tearing, itching, and intermittent blurred vision fall into the “change” category, as does any new difficulty you have seeing or focusing on objects, nearby or far away, Stabilizing your vision could prevent it from getting any worse.
