If you haven’t had an eye exam in a while, or ever, you may need some brushing up on what to do to prepare for one. The good news is that there isn’t really much you need to do beyond scheduling an appointment with an optometrist. The real question is what to expect at an eye exam.
Eye exams are easy. Your eye strength and mechanics will be tested, usually by an optometric assistant, and you will also get a glaucoma test. Then, you will go to the exam room, where the optometrist will test your visual acuity and eye health.
What to Expect During Your Visit
The visual acuity test shows how sharp your vision is, and is done by reading from a chart on the wall, and then reading from it through a series of lenses of different refractions. The eye health part involves putting drops in your eyes to dilate them so their interiors can be seen more easily with a bright light. The optometrist will look for signs of eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, as these things are easier to treat if they are caught early.
If you wear contact lenses, or want to, your eyes will be measured, as getting the size right is important for contacts. The size has to be right for your eyes for the lenses to stay on and to be comfortable. Once the exam is over, you will receive a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts, if you need them, or an updated prescription if you already wear them. If no prescription is needed, then you will get an appointment for next year’s exam, or you will fill out a reminder card to be mailed to you when it is time for you to schedule your next exam.
Why are Eye Exams Important?
Eye exams are important because they can spot eye disease early enough to preserve most or all of your good vision with proper treatment, depending on the condition. They are also important for your quality of life. If you need glasses or contacts and are not wearing them, you might suffer from tension headaches from straining to see clearly, you may have trouble reading, and you might have difficulty in school or at work, among other things. Getting regular eye exams improves your quality of life and overall happiness, and even success, in a variety of excellent ways.
Visit Our Local Portland Optometrist Today
If you are asking yourself, “Where can I get an eye exam near me?,” you need look no farther than Foster Vision. We are your family optometrist in Portland, and we are here for you. In fact, we are looking forward to meeting you and your family, and welcoming you to our family here at Foster Vision. All you have to do is contact us today at (503) 546-4460 to make an appointment for your eye exam, or for your spouse, parents, or children. We are here to serve you all.