What to Expect the day of your exam
Your exam will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. We ask that you arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is complete and you are ready for your eye exam at your preset time. Your preliminary test will be done by one of our trained technicians and will consist of the following:
Glaucoma Check- A “puff” of air directed at the eye which measures the pressure within it.
Auto Refractor- This machine gives the doctor an estimated prescription.
Keratometer Readings- These readings consist of measurements of the front surface of the eye and your case history.
Once you are in the exam room the doctor may recommend that your eyes be dilated. Dilation is a series of drops given to enlarge the pupil so that a better view of the back of the eye can be obtained. The dilation can last anywhere from 3-24 hours, and it is recommended that you bring a driver with you. If you did not bring a driver, a second appointment will be made to help accommodate you. A retinal photo may also be ordered by the doctor. This is a quick test done in our office where a picture is taken of the back of the eye with a high powered digital camera. There are no side affects and the results can be view or printed immediately after the picture is taken.
If you are diabetic, be prepared to have all of the above tests administered. Diabetic patient’s eyes are more at risk and should be evaluated as recommended by your doctor.
Also included in the exam are the following: cataract evaluation, glaucoma, macular degeneration, astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness, and diabetic retinopathy.