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Ask an Optometrist: What Happens at an Eye Exam?

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Are you taking proper care of your vision? Just like you visit the dentist for cleanings and see your family doctor for check-ups, it’s equally important to visit the optometrist for an eye exam.

Adults should get an eye exam every two years as long as they have no concerns about their vision. Although visiting the optometrist isn’t the most exciting thing to do, it’s necessary to make sure you keep your eyes in tip-top shape.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens at an eye exam, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you’ve never actually had one, or need a refresher since your last visit. Regardless of where you stand, in this blog, we’ll be telling you what to expect and how long it takes.

What happens at an eye exam?

The first thing an optometrist will do is ask you standard questions about your health history, medical history, and ocular history. If you have any concerns about your vision or questions you’d like to address, you can share that with them too.

Next, they perform a preliminary examination to give them a rough idea of what your prescription is going to be. They also do a retinal scan which lets them look inside the eye and determine any areas they might want to pinpoint the examination on.

After the pre-exam, they’ll conduct a test which usually has four components. The first is the oral component, where you can once again discuss any concerns you have about your vision. The second part is a prescription check, where they’ll use the information from the pre-test and modify the prescription based on your situation and needs. Factors like what you do for work, how much time you spend on screens, and how often you drive might affect it.

Next, the optometrist will check your binocular vision to evaluate how well your eyes work together. There might be an imbalance, for example, which would also need to be reflected in your prescription. Every person’s eyesight is unique to them, and it also changes as you get older. This is why regular eye exams should never be missed!

The last step of the test is the ocular exam and health assessment. The optometrist will put eye drops in your eyes, check your eye pressure, and look for glaucoma or any other ocular diseases. Once all of these steps have been completed, they’ll give you a summary of their findings and discuss the next steps. If problems came up, they’ll give recommendations on how you can solve them and schedule a follow-up appointment if needed.

How long does an eye exam take?

Since everyone’s eyes are different, the length of an eye exam will vary. Most patients can expect their eye exam to last between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the health of their eyes and any additional tests the optometrist may need to perform.

How often do I need an eye exam?

The frequency at which you should be getting an eye exam changes over the course of your life. Kids aged 19 and under should get an eye exam every year because, during these stages, their eyes are still growing. It’s especially important for young children in school because much of what they’re learning is done visually.

From ages 20-60, adults should get an eye exam once every two years unless they notice changes in their vision or have other concerns to bring up with their optometrist.

Once a person reaches the age of 60, there are more risk factors related to eye health including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. For this reason, optometrists recommend that seniors come in once a year so any issues can be caught early. If a disease is detected, a person might be instructed to come in every six months for a follow-up.

Eye exam Toronto

At the end of the day, you only get one pair of eyes in this lifetime. That’s why you should always be taking proper care of them! A lot of ocular diseases can be asymptomatic, and your vision could be suffering without you even knowing. Optometrists have the skills, knowledge and tools to detect any health issues before they become worse.

The steps an optometrist goes through during an eye exam are painless, non-invasive and completed in under an hour. It’s a small commitment of your time that adds up to healthier vision and a happier you!

Not sure how long it’s been since you visited the optometrist? Don’t wait! Book an eye exam in Toronto to get your vision looked at by a professional. Even if your eyes feel fine, it’s always a good idea to receive a thorough examination and have complete peace of mind about your vision.

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