Eye Exam Specialist

What is an eye exam?

An eye exam is a routine visit to your friendly ophthalmologist at Suburban Eye Clinic. During your eye exams, your provider thoroughly examines your eyes for early signs of eye conditions that you might not yet notice on your own. An eye exam helps your provider diagnose conditions that can result in vision decline or loss, like:

• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy

Catching conditions like these early can help you get the treatment you need to prevent complete vision loss and slow down the rate of your vision’s decline. An eye exam also tells you if you have a refractive error, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. 

Refractive errors cause your eyesight to be unclear at certain distances or at certain points in your field of vision. If you have these conditions, you can see clearly again with glasses, contacts, or surgery. 

What should I expect during an eye exam?

If you already have prescription eyewear like glasses or contact lenses, you should bring them with you to your appointment at Suburban Eye Clinic and wear them during your eye exam. If you don’t currently have prescription eyewear, there is no need to bring anything with you. Before the exam begins, you’ll discuss your vision and some details of your medical history with your provider. 

Your eye exam starts with a simple vision test. Your provider asks you to read a series of letters on a chart with each of your eyes individually at different distances. This part of the exam tells you whether or not you need new corrective eyewear or a change in your current prescription. 

During the exam, your provider also tests:

• The fluid pressure in your eyes
• Your peripheral vision
• Your eye movement and alignment
• Your pupils’ response to light

After giving you eye drops to dilate your pupils, your provider looks into your eyes to view your optic nerve and retina. They look for signs of damage that could indicate an ocular disease. 

What happens if an eye exam shows changes in my vision?

If the results of your eye exam show that your vision has declined since your last visit, the helpful team at Suburban Eye Clinic gives you your new prescription for either glasses or contact lenses. Contact lenses sit in your eye each day to improve your vision before you take them out at night to sleep. If you decide to wear glasses, the team at Suburban Eye Clinic helps you choose a pair of frames that speak to your personality.

If your vision changes are due to an underlying condition, your provider designs a treatment plan to help you retain the vision you still have and slow your vision decline. Treatments like eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, or surgery can help you avoid losing your eyesight altogether. 

If you’re due for another eye exam, don’t hesitate to book an appointment by phone or online at Suburban Eye Clinic today.