Your eyes reveal a lot about your overall health. An eye exam may help you detect diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure or autoimmune disorders. Click https://dryeyecenterofmd.com/ to learn more.
You should see an ophthalmologist for routine exams, as well as to treat any sudden changes in vision. Getting a referral from a friend or family member is the best way to find a qualified doctor.
Many people who have not had eye exams in a long time may be unsure of what to expect. The eye doctor will usually begin by asking questions about your current symptoms and general health. They may also ask about whether any family members have had problems with their eyes or vision. It is important to provide a complete and accurate patient history to ensure that your exam is as accurate as possible.
Once the patient history is completed, the examination itself begins. A visual acuity test is the first thing that most patients will have done, which involves reading letters on an eye chart at various distances. The doctor may then use a handheld lighted instrument to check the surface of the eye and the surrounding tissues for signs of damage or disease. This part of the exam can include an inspection of the sclera and the conjunctiva, and palpation of the eyelids to check for abnormalities like ptosis (drooping of the upper or lower lid).
Next comes the refraction assessment, which determines your lens prescription. To do this, the doctor will place a device called a phoroptor in front of your face and have you look at an image through different lenses. They will then ask you which one appears clearer and record the results. This is a subjective test and will determine your final eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
Refraction is a crucial part of the eye examination because it measures how well you see at all distances, determining your need for corrective lenses. This includes testing for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Other parts of the eye exam can include a visual field test, which checks how much of your surroundings you can see. This can be done by covering one eye and telling the doctor when a finger appears in your field of view, or by using an automated machine that lights up a set of dots and prompts you to identify them. A glaucoma screening can be performed by either shining a bright light into your eyes and watching how your pupils dilate or using a non-contact tonometer, which blows air into the eye to measure intraocular pressure.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are an excellent solution for a lot of vision problems. They help correct a number of refractive errors (like myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia (which causes blurry close-up vision). They also help protect the eyes from harmful UV light. Eyeglasses are a safe and convenient way to improve your vision.
There are a variety of frame styles and materials to choose from, so it’s important to find the right frames for you. It’s also a good idea to choose a pair that is comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. You should avoid tight or narrow frames, which can squeeze the nose and ears and are difficult to clean. The shape of the lenses is another factor to consider. Round, rectangular and oval lenses are more comfortable for most people. However, a pair of square or angular glasses can be a good choice for some.
The type of lenses you’ll need will depend on your prescription and the kind of vision correction you need. Single-vision lenses are good for correcting distance issues, while multifocal lenses treat both distance and near-vision problems, such as reading. Bifocals have a separate area on the lens for each correction, while trifocals have three areas.
Most eyeglasses are made of plastic, which is lighter and more flexible than glass. Polycarbonate is a popular choice because it’s impact resistant and helps protect against damage. It is also less prone to distortion than other types of lenses. Trivex is a newer material that provides similar benefits, and it’s even thinner than polycarbonate.
Before the final lenses are inserted into the frames, they go through a rigorous inspection process. The lenses are visually inspected for dust and other debris, and a mechanical inspection is performed. The lenses are then “stamped,” which indicates they meet ZEISS’ strict quality assurance requirements.
When you’re ready to pick out your new glasses, it’s a good idea to bring in the prescription from your eye exam and any other information you have about your vision needs. If you have insurance, it’s often possible to use it to cover the cost of the glasses and frames. If you don’t have insurance, ask the eye care specialist about cost assistance programs or resources.
Contact lenses
If you have been wearing glasses, your eye care professional will help you make the transition to contact lenses. These thin plastic lenses fit over the front part of your eyes (the cornea) to correct a range of vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. They also can address presbyopia by providing bifocals. Many people wear decorative contacts to change the color of their eyes or to add a pop of color. However, even these kinds of contacts require a proper prescription and regular annual checkups.
Your eye care professional will help you choose the best type of contact lenses for your needs and will explain how to insert and remove them. They will also teach you the best way to clean and store your contacts.
Most contact lenses are soft and made of gel-like plastics that absorb water, making them comfortable to wear. They are usually worn on a daily basis and need to be removed at night before you go to sleep. Some types of contact lenses are designed for extended wear, allowing you to keep them in overnight and for up to 30 days. Extended wear contacts must be removed at least once per week for cleaning. Your eye care professional will evaluate your tolerance for extended wear and will determine the safest length of time for you to keep them in.
When you first start wearing contact lenses, a period of mild irritation may occur. This is caused by a difference in the pH and salt content of the lens solution and your natural tears. This discomfort usually fades as your eyes adjust to the contact lens and your tear content stabilizes. If you continue to experience irritation, your contact lens may be dirty, damaged or inside-out. Removing the lens, inspecting it for damage and cleaning it, should relieve the discomfort.
Be sure to keep multipurpose contact solution and a case on hand. These will come in handy if you lose or tear a lens. And remember, it is important to never use tap water to clean or store your contacts. The water can carry bacteria that can cause an eye infection.
Eye surgery
Your eye doctor can perform several types of surgery, including traditional open surgeries and minimally invasive options. The exact type of eye surgery you need will depend on your individual condition and its severity.
If you’re considering refractive eye surgery, your doctor will take a few measurements and complete other tests to make sure that you’ll be a good candidate. You’ll also need to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand the risks, benefits and alternative options for treatment.
During cataract surgery, your eye doctor removes the natural lens of your eye from its position on the edge of your cornea and replaces it with a synthetic plastic lens. This procedure can correct severe nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as astigmatism.
Other refractive surgeries include LASIK, in which your eye doctor creates a flap on the front of your eye and then uses a laser to flatten the cornea and change the way that light rays focus on the retina. This can reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts. Other refractive surgeries include corneal transplants, in which the doctors replace the natural lens of your eye with a donor one; and glaucoma implants and procedures, such as a trabeculectomy, in which the doctor inserts a tube to help extra fluid drain from the eye, lowering eye pressure.
For retinal detachment, your doctor may perform a vitrectomy, in which some of the fluid in your eye — called the vitreous — is removed and replaced with saline or a bubble of gas that helps the retina reattach. He or she may also use laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy to seal the retina in place. An in-office procedure called pneumatic retinopexy can also repair a retinal detachment by injecting a gas bubble into your eye, pushing it against the retina and then using laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy to “weld” it in place.
This is an outpatient surgery, but you’ll need to be sedated for it. After the surgery, you might have a burning or itching sensation in your eye, and vision might be blurry or hazy. You’ll need to take nonprescription pain relievers if needed, and you should avoid rubbing your eyes because that could dislodge the flap that was created during surgery. You may also need to wear a protective shield while sleeping for a few days after surgery.