Chances are, you’ve been to the eye doctor at least once before—and hopefully you’ve been many times, if you’re like most average adults in this country. We all know the drill: come in, sit in the waiting room, read some numbers or letters off of a chart, have some drops put in your eyes, wear sunglasses the rest of the day and wish you could read. But do you understand what’s really going on during your eye exam? If you want to know what eye doctors are looking for during eye exams in Oshkosh, read on for more information.
Questions help shed light on eye health
One of the first things that happens when you head to the optometrist’s office is that the doctor will ask you a series of questions about your eyes. They might want to know whether you’ve experienced any pain, blurred vision or headaches, and whether you’ve noticed anything unusual about your eyes since your last exam. You’ll also be asked about your family history and any medications you’re taking.
Your doctor may also ask you what you do for work and what types of hobbies you have, including sports or other recreational activities.
All of these questions provide a helpful framework for your eye doctor, who will use the information to understand your specific eye care needs. Your eye doctor will also be on the lookout for specific symptoms, if you are taking medications or have a family history that might indicate potential for problems.
The eye exam itself
Your eye doctor will carefully examine both the inside and the outside of your eyes in order to determine whether there are any underlying medical conditions you should be aware of. Hopefully, nothing will turn up, but if it does, you’ll be glad you caught it right away.
You know that bright light you have shined in your eyes? That’s an ophthalmoscope, which is a torch designed to shine directly through your pupil so the doctor can check out the internal structures of your eyeball. This also helps test the reflexes of your pupils.
Other components of an exam include:
- Extra tests: There are many, many different tests your eye doctor may perform, so be sure to speak up if you have any questions, or would like to be tested for a particular issue they may not know about. Some optometrists offer additional tests for specific requirements, such as photography. There may be an extra charge for these services.
- Test of eye coordination: The doctor will also test your eye coordination, meaning they will confirm that both of your eyes work together, moving in the same direction at all times. This will also help them know right away if one eye is doing a lot more muscle work than the other.
- Overall vision test: You will also be tested for basic vision. This will tell the doctor if you need to update your prescription.
Make sure to choose an excellent doctor for eye exams in Oshkosh, for the sake of your eyes and your overall health. To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Jill’s Optical Shoppe today.