An eye examination is a routine examination that is performed by a specialist doctor (ophthalmologist) to evaluate vision skills and eye health. A thorough check involves several verification tests, although the doctor may prescribe further tests to treat any problems. Just like any medical examination, a good eye exam goes far beyond what happens in the office. Remember to prepare thoroughly so that the whole process goes smoothly. Undergoing follow-up examinations allows you to maximize the effects of the treatments and to keep your eyes healthy and robust.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare for the Appointment
Step 1. Decide which professional to rely on
There are three professionals you can turn to for an eye exam. Although in Italy only the ophthalmologist can prescribe drugs, instill eye drops, prescribe special lenses and evaluate the state of health of the eyes, also the optician and optometrist can perform visual acuity checks and recommend solutions. However, the profession of optometrist is not yet regulated and the boundaries of competence are still a matter of debate.
- Ophthalmologist: is a specialized doctor who provides treatment for all eye problems. He performs eye exams and prescribes corrective lenses. It can diagnose and treat pathologies and perform surgery.
- Optometrist: is a graduate professional (whose work, however, does not fall under the control of the Ministry of Health), who can perform a series of non-invasive tests to measure vision skills, apply contact lenses and recommend optical solutions. He cannot prescribe drugs or practice invasive maneuvers. If the eye problem that afflicts you is beyond his competence, he will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
- Optician: his duties are mainly focused on the correction of simple visual defects (myopia and hyperopia), sale to the public of customized protective and corrective glasses and lenses of visual defects, of customized contact lenses, corrective of visual defects, for reasons of health interest and health protection. He can perform a visual acuity test to get an idea of your needs, but he cannot diagnose, recommend medications, or prescribe medical treatment.
Step 2. Find an eye doctor
This is not a general practitioner and, at the moment, you may not know any. If you want to have your eyes tested, there are plenty of sources to find the right doctor to turn to.
- Ask someone you trust for advice. This can be a friend or family member who goes to a trusted eye doctor or you can ask your GP.
- If you live near a hospital or university clinic, call the ophthalmology department for information. You can also consult the website of the order of doctors in your province, do an online search or contact the optometry associations.
- If you have a private health insurance policy, find out which ophthalmologists are affiliated with. In this case, you will have a small number of professionals to choose from, but the visit will be paid for by the insurance, thus reducing your costs.
Step 3. Make an appointment
In most cases, you cannot show up at the doctor's office and expect to be seen immediately. Once you have found the doctor you want to contact, call the office of the office and set a date for a visit. The person on the phone will ask you why you want to have a checkup. You can answer as you like, you can also just say that you want to check the health of your eyes, this way you let the doctor know what to expect when you arrive.
- Among the various specific ailments that you may suffer from and that the ophthalmologist should check include red or painful eyes, presence of foreign bodies, impaired vision, diplopia (double vision) or headaches.
- The response you provide to the telephone operator will help the doctor prepare for the visit. If you have any particular problems, this is the time to report them, so that the doctor knows what to look for during the exam.
- Once you have made an appointment, it is important to arrive on time. Eye doctors are typically very busy and if you arrive late, they are likely to be seeing the next patient. This means you will have to wait or reschedule another appointment. You should arrive at the doctor's office a few minutes early to be ready when the doctor calls you.
Step 4. Prepare for the ophthalmologist's questions
While you are in the doctor's office, you will surely be asked a few questions. To make the visit easier and quicker, it is worth preparing your answers in advance. The topics that are generally covered are:
- Current eye problems. You should inform your doctor of any pain and discomfort you experience even in different lighting conditions, blurred vision at certain distances or possible peripheral vision changes.
- Your eye medical history. Most likely, glasses and contact lenses will also be discussed during the visit. Your doctor will want to make sure you wear them regularly, especially if you need them, and are satisfied with their effectiveness. You should also report any eye problems you have had in the past.
- Family clinical history regarding ocular pathologies. Your doctor needs to know if any of your relatives have eye changes, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration.
- The general anamnesis. This means you should tell your eye doctor if you were born premature, have recently suffered from high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes or are overweight. Your doctor will also ask you similar questions regarding family members.
- The drug history, which includes the list of medicines you are taking, allergies to some active ingredient or to particular foods.
Step 5. If you have contacted a doctor who has an agreement with your insurance policy, bring proof of identity and insurance details
Just like any other medical visit, you will need to fill out some forms and complete some formalities. If you went to a public facility, do not forget the GP's referral, the health card and any exemptions.
Step 6. Bring glasses or contact lenses
If you use optical devices, such as glasses or contact lenses, you must have them during the visit. The doctor will want to check the power of the lenses and check the condition of the glasses. Even if you don't need a new prescription, you may need to change your frame or lenses.
If you use sunglasses, it is worth showing them to the ophthalmologist. The doctor may find it useful to know its power and evaluate its status. Also, if you are instilled with drugs to dilate your pupils, you are very sensitive to light, so it's best to protect your eyes on the way home
Part 2 of 3: Undergo the Eye Exam
Step 1. Check the eye muscles
One of the structures that an ophthalmologist wants to check is the extrinsic musculature that controls eye movements. You will be asked to follow a small object with your gaze, typically a pen or small light, to observe eye movements. Doctors look for signs of muscle weakness, poor control, or poor coordination.
- Check your visual acuity. This is the classic test for quantifying visual skills. The doctor will ask you to look at a board with letters on it. As you read the lines down, the fonts are getting smaller and harder to distinguish. This tool is called Snellen's table and it allows you to quantify focus capabilities from afar.
- The test for visual acuity is usually performed at a distance of six meters, while the visual capacity is expressed in tenths, where 10/10 represents the standard value for an emmetropic person (without vision defects).
Step 2. The ophthalmologist may also evaluate close-up vision by placing an chart in front of you as if it were a book or newspaper
Typically, the test is performed at a distance of 35 cm from the face.
Step 3. Get a refraction exam
During the examination, the doctor observes whether the light refracts correctly towards the back of the eye. If this is not done, it means that you need some form of optical correction, usually glasses or contact lenses.
The first part of the assessment involves shining a light into the eye to measure the displacement of its reflection through the pupil. The ophthalmologist could also use a computerized tool for this operation, which allows an estimate of the visual defect
Step 4. The next step is to "refine" the first rough evaluation
To do this, a phoropter is typically used, a mask-like instrument that your doctor places on your face. The ophthalmologist will modify the lenses of the instrument and ask you to evaluate which one allows you to see better.
Step 5. Undergo a visual field assessment
This test allows you to check peripheral vision, that is, the ability to see to the sides without moving the head or eyes. The purpose of this test is to quantify this ability and to identify any problem areas. There are several ways to evaluate the visual field.
- Comparison test. The doctor sits in front of you and asks you to cover one eye with one hand. You need to look straight ahead as he moves his hand around your face. You must inform him immediately as soon as you visually perceive the hand.
- Tangent screen. During the exam, you must keep your gaze on a target positioned above a screen, while other objects appear on the screen. You need to tell your doctor when these objects appear and disappear, but you can't move your head or eyes.
- Automated perimetry. You have to look at a screen with flashing lights. You must inform the eye doctor every time you see one. Typically, you need to keep your gaze steady on a reference target within a dome screen and press a button to signal that you have spotted a light.
Step 6. Check your color perception ability
If you have difficulty distinguishing certain colors, your eye doctor will test you to see if you are color blind. For this purpose, tables are used with colored dots arranged according to a precise pattern. The points outline shapes or letters according to their arrangement. If you have any problems with color vision, it may be impossible or difficult to recognize these shapes.
Step 7. Undergo a slit lamp exam
This instrument is a microscope that uses a bright line of light to illuminate the front of the eye. The ophthalmologist uses it to inspect various eye structures, such as the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens, and make sure they are healthy.
In some cases, doctors use a dye to dye the tear film that covers the eyeball. It is a completely safe substance that is washed off quickly after the exam is finished. The dye allows you to highlight damaged cells, making them more visible to the doctor
Step 8. Take a retinal exam
This procedure is called ophthalmoscopy or fundus examination and allows the doctor to look at the back of the eye. It is performed thanks to an ophthalmoscope, which is basically a small manual instrument that illuminates the inside of the bulb. In order for the observation to be accurate, it is necessary to instill an eye drop that dilates the pupils by increasing their diameter. Once the drug is administered, the ophthalmologist can proceed in several ways.
- Direct examination. Doctors use an ophthalmoscope to direct a beam of light into the eye.
- Indirect examination. The ophthalmologist wears a helmet with a light mounted on the forehead that reflects towards you, while observing the inside of the eye thanks to a magnifying glass. In this case, he may ask you to lie down or lean back a little.
- If the pupils are dilated, they are more sensitive to light. This means that it is wise to bring sunglasses to protect them on the way home or, better yet, you should take a friend with you so you don't have to drive.
Part 3 of 3: Phases Following the Exam
Step 1. Ask any questions you think are appropriate
Your eye doctor has probably asked you a lot of questions during your visit and now it's your turn. If you have any doubts about something he has said to you or about some advice he has given you, ask for more clarification. We both want your eyes to stay as healthy as possible, so if you need clarification, don't hesitate to ask.
If you still have any concerns after your visit, don't be afraid to call the doctor's office
Step 2. Discuss various optical devices with your ophthalmologist
After the exam, your doctor may decide that you need optical correction tools, such as glasses, contact lenses, or replace those you already use with stronger devices. Make sure you are comfortable with the device of your choice and don't hesitate to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each optical solution with your eye doctor. Whatever you decide to buy, make sure you also have everything you need to clean it.
- Choose your eyeglasses. When it comes to getting glasses, the decision about the lenses is up to the ophthalmologist, but you have many choices when it comes to the frame. Take into account the size, shape and material of the glasses that must fit well on the face, match the complexion and not cause any allergic reactions. Glasses are also a fashion accessory that can accentuate positive facial features, so choose a model that suits your taste and style.
- Choose contact lenses. Unlike glasses, this optical correction device is not always visible and its purchase is usually determined by comfort issues. Consider soft lenses and gas-permeable lenses, as well as how often you'll want to wear them.
- Remember to also consider the cost of the various models, without neglecting any refunds from the insurance company or the possibility of deduction from taxes.
- Generally, it is best to buy contact lenses or glasses from the same optician store that you went to for an eye exam. in this way, the staff can solve any problems. If, on the other hand, you have had an eye examination in a doctor's office, go to a store you trust.
Step 3. Make the next appointment
Once you've done a thorough check, you can decide on the next one. The times between examinations depend on what the doctor found and told you during the visit. If you have been diagnosed with a problem, you may need to be checked back soon to monitor its development. If the eyes are healthy, another visit is not required for approximately one year.
