What you need to know about an Eye Exam By: Satya Moolani

Visual Acuity Test 1. Visual Acuity Test– This test measures the sharpness of vision. They use a distance chart and near chart. No risks are associated with visual acuity tests, and you don’t need any special preparation. Children frequently take visual acuity tests. Early testing and detection of vision problems can prevent issues from getting worse. The visual acuity test is used to determine the smallest letters you can read on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) or a card held 20 feet away. Special charts are used when testing at distances shorter than 20 feet. Some Snellen charts are actually video monitors showing letters or images.

Cover test 2. Cover test- This test tests for synergy in the eye. The doctor will cover one eye and have you look at a target. The doctor assess the strain it causes on the eye. As this eye is covered, the uncovered eye is observed for any shift in fixation. The occluder is then removed and any refixation movements are then noted under binocular conditions. This test, as shown in the picture above, is a very simple and easy test, approximately taking only a few seconds.

Retinoscopy 3. Retinoscopy– This test will determine the prescription, if needed for the patient. Your doctor will have you focus on the large “E” and shine a light in your eye and observe the light that reflects off. Retinoscopy (also called sciascopy) is a technique to determine the refractive error of the eye (farsighted, nearsighted, astigmatism) and the need for glasses. This is a very easy test, only requiring a few seconds of bright light into your eye.

Refraction 4. Refraction– This test will determine the official prescription of the patient’s eyes. They will flip the lens and you will say which one Is clearer and which is blurry. They will determine whether or not you are far-sighted, near-sighted, and astigmatism. You sit in a chair that has a special device (called a phoroptor or refractor) attached to it. You look through the device and focus on an eye chart 20 feet away. The device contains lenses of different strengths that can be moved into your view. The test is performed one eye at a time.

Slit-lamp test 5. Slit-Lamp Test– This will test for eye health using a bioicroscope. The patient will place their chin on a bar and place their forehead against a bar. A light will shine into your eyes as the doctor examines your eyes. They will look at the structure and inside of the patient’s eye. Cataracts, ulcers, and macula, and many more diseases an conditions can be detected using this test.

Thank you!!! This brochure is not to scare you but to inform and influence you to understand and take eye exams to keep your eye healthy and keep your vision clear.