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What Is Routine Eye Care?

It is a crucial part of taking care of the health of our body as it is a periodic assessment by an optometrist to check the clarity of vision and overall eye health. If an individual requires or already wears corrective glasses or contact lenses, the evaluation will show if there are updates and changes in the patient’s eyesight.

Routine testing is critical for preventing eye diseases and detecting early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and many other disorders. Frequency is usually determined based upon individual age, health, and family history. Speak with your optometrist to determine what is best for you.

Many experts recommend that children have an eye assessment before starting grade school, followed by annual testing. Healthy adults usually receive more comprehensive tests following age 40, provided there isn't an underlying condition or medical history.

Standard Tests

Visual acuity:

This checks overall clarity of vision. You will be asked to read from the Snellen Chart where the letters decrease in size as you progress down the chart. You will probably recognize this well known chart by the large E at the top as it is a standard tool for checking how well a patient can see.

If the patient is a young child who has not learnt the alphabet yet, the optometrist will use a chart with various well known symbols, such as a picture of a house or butterfly to test how well the child can see.

Binocular testing

This is an assessment of how well the eyes work in unison, both while looking close up and while looking at a distance. In the cover test, each eye is covered one at a time while the patient focuses on an object. The optometrist observes how one eye responds while the other eye is being covered which can provide important information on how the eyes work together as a team.

stereopsis

You will be given polaroid glasses to allow you to see certain images up close in 3D and this evaluates your depth perception.

Near Point of Convergence

This measures the ability your eyes have to move inwards in sync in order to focus on a target up close.

Eye movements

The optometrist will check how smoothly your eyes can move in all directions without causing any discomfort.

Visual Field Screening

An evaluation is performed to determine if there are any visual field defects. You will be asked to focus on a central target while identifying how many fingers the optometrist is holding up at different points in the periphery.

Refraction

The optometrist will determine your current and accurate prescription to decide if you need glasses or contact lenses. There are various tools and tests that the optometrist will perform in order to arrive at your prescription using both subjective and objective methods. Different lenses are used and you will be asked which options allow you to see more clearly.

 Through refraction, the optometrist will let you know if you are nearsighted (known medically as myopia) or farsighted (hyperopia). It’s also possible that you have an astigmatism which is typically when your eye is not perfectly round and therefore another element called a cylinder is added to your prescription to correct the astigmatism and allow for clear vision.

Evaluating the health of the eye

The optometrist will assess the health of your eyes through a visual inspection. This includes shining a retinoscope on the pupil to assess the response to light. Additionally dilating eye drops are administered to enlarge the pupils and to enable a complete evaluation of the eye through fundoscopy which uses a light and a magnifying lens to inspect the critical retina section at the back of the eye.

Depending on age and medical history, testing for glaucoma may become part of routine evaluations. It is an easy way to prevent the onset of this condition, by assessing the eye pressure.

Possible Outcomes of the Eye Exam

At the end of your eye exam, the optometrist will explain to you all of the findings and any questions that you have will be addressed. You will be informed if you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/ or an astigmatism and the optometrist will discuss with you options for glasses and/ or contact lenses. 

If any eye drops or medical prescriptions are needed, the optometrist will provide you with a prescription and explanation. If more testing is needed, it will be discussed with you when and where is the best time and place to do that.

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What to Expect at an Eye Exam

An eye exam on average usually takes 30 minutes or less. Depending upon the findings, further testing may be required. The optometrist will begin the appointment by asking you questions about your eye health and about your medical history. Always inform the optometrist of any eye issues you may be experiencing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It's very advisable to bring your current prescription glasses to the appointment.  Assessments for refraction may indicate a need for changes to your prescriptions.

Yes. Exams are essential for maintaining eyesight and preventing and detecting complications. Additionally, many conditions are hard to detect, and they take time to fully manifest. There are excellent tools to prevent future problems.  Eye health is more than just how well you see.

There are several steps that are recommended to take good care of your eyes:

  • Schedule routine eye exams as recommended by your optometrist
  • Eating healthily, engaging in physical activity, and refraining from smoking or high consumption of alcohol contributes to good eye health
  • Wear sunglasses and, when relevant, protective goggles, if you engage in activities where there is a risk of sustaining an eye injury
  • Be careful to avoid touching your eyes. If you have to touch your eyes, such as when applying contact lenses, be sure to wash your hands first and to practice hygienic recommendations
  • Monitor and follow up if any signs of infection, allergy or trauma are detected in your eyes such as redness, swelling, pain/ discomfort, double or blurred vision or if there is a loss of vision

What to Expect at an Eye Exam

An eye exam on average usually takes 30 minutes or less. Depending upon the findings, further testing may be required. The optometrist will begin the appointment by asking you questions about your eye health and about your medical history. Always inform the optometrist of any eye issues you may be experiencing.
Routine Eye Care optometry and eye care
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