A visual exam is essential to maintain good eye health, so today, we bring you several recommendations to follow for your next eye exam.

This exam helps determine if you need glasses or contact lenses or whether you need to update an existing formula, as well as identify any common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or cataracts.

At Salisbury Optometrist, we help you in the process of a correct vision test. Let’s get started!

Considerations before attending the eye test

You should know that several types of eye exams are included in the general ophthalmology consultation that eye care specialists make.

Among the most common are:

Visual acuity test – refraction to identify vision problems.

Computerized intraocular pressure to measure eye pressure.

Computerized vision measurement to identify and measure refractive error.

So before you attend your eye exam, consider that you will be evaluated in several ways. In addition, you will surely have to answer some routine questions that are very important for specialists.

7 recommendations for eye exams

These recommendations are given by the best eye specialists, including Salisbury Optometrist, for you to do before your eye examination to help that this be as swift and smooth as possible. 

1. Note the eye problems you experience

Create a list of eye problems you are experiencing. You can include discomforts such as:

• See flashes of light.
• Double vision.
• Blurry vision.
• Eye pain.
• Frequent headaches.
• Photosensitivity.

This will help the eye care specialists who perform the test and identify the problem more quickly.

2. Identify any recent health problem or family history of eye issues

This can help you determine when it is time to schedule an eye exam.

For example, if you had a recent injury or operation that you suspect is affecting your vision, you should make an appointment.

If your parents suffer from glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye conditions such as macular degeneration, you may be at greater risk of developing these diseases.

A family history of glaucoma can increase your risk of developing the condition by four to nine times. Even if you don’t experience any symptoms, you should schedule an annual eye exam.

You are also at higher risk for eye diseases if you:

• You have diabetes or hypertension.
• You wear contact lenses.
• You have had eye surgery.
• You take medications with side effects that affect your eyes.
• If your occupation is visually demanding or dangerous to the eyes.

3. Choose Where to take the Vision Test

If your vision problems are urgent, you should make an appointment with your eye care specialists as soon as possible.

Remember that the best eye specialist can subspecialize in a variety of areas, such as retina, cornea, glaucoma, neurology, and pediatrics, among others.

However, you must first attend the general ophthalmology consultation so that the specialist can determine if you need a particular subspecialty or special vision test.

At Salisbury Optometrist we have a highly qualified medical staff to address all problems that affect eye health.

4. List the Medicines You Use

Remember to make a list of the medicines you use, both eye medicines and medicines that you can use for other discomforts or pathologies.

Believe it or not, some of these medications could affect the results of the eye exam.

Therefore, make your list and inform the doctor during the consultation, these details could be of great help to make a complete evaluation.

5. If you Wear Glasses, Get the Eye Exams Done

If you wear frame glasses, do not forget to take them to your vision test. The measurement of these glasses is an excellent reference for prescribing the new measurement that you will use.

But remember, although sometimes we continue to keep old lenses because they help us in some way, you should always bring the lenses you currently use to the consultation with the eye care specialists, since wearing old lenses will not be useful in the diagnosis.

On the other hand, if you are a contact lens user, you should know that to make an accurate measurement, your eyes must rest (stop using) these lenses a few days before the general ophthalmology consultation.

6. Do a Correct Vision Measurement

When in the ophthalmology consultation the eye care specialist asks you to read some projected letters from a distance as part of the visual examination, you must tell him everything as you see it; if you see the letters blurred, deformed, with shadows, etc.

If he asks you to read closely, show him how you usually read; if you bring the object you will read a lot or a little closer (cell phone, newspaper, laptop, etc.).

All these details, although they may not seem important, are important to obtain a correct measurement.

Remember that success in measuring your vision will depend on how much information you give the doctor about how you see the letters; every detail counts!

Finally, you should know that there are suggested guidelines for how often people should have their eyesight tested depending on their age and whether or not they are at risk for vision impairment.

7. Don’t Put It Off, Book an Appointment Today

Even if you think you have perfect vision, an eye exam is one of the best options you have to protect your overall health and well-being.

Don’t postpone it any longer; remember that prevention is the best way to combat any disease.

Final thoughts

Visiting the ophthalmologist doesn’t have to be intimidating. Planning ahead and knowing how to prepare for your eye exam can put your mind at ease and help you get the most out of your general ophthalmology visit.

Follow our recommendations and contact Salisbury Optometrist for a general ophthalmology consultation. You can schedule an appointment with us and see what is best for you.