Knowing what to expect may help put you at ease.
In this spirit, here are the pieces of equipment that youre likely to see during your appointment.
It is used to document eye diseases.
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The camera produces a bright flash when the picture is taken.
Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope
U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt.
Victoria Sneed
Anophthalmoscopeis an instrument used for examining the interior structures of the eye, especially the retina.
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Manual Keratometer
A manualkeratometeris used to determine how flat or steep the cornea is.
A keratometer can be invaluable for finding an ideal fit for people who wear contact lenses.
This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a persons eye.
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The automated refraction technique is quick, simple, and painless.
The patient takes a seat and places their chin on a rest.
One eye at a time, they look into the machine at a picture inside.
U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed
Several readings are taken, which the machine averages to form a prescription.
With special lenses, it is possible to examine the back of the eye as well.
A slit lamp gives the eye practitioner an amazing view of the inside of the eyes.
Troy Bedinghaus
Tonometer
A tonometer is used to measure the pressure of the eye.
The test is used to help detectglaucoma.
Numbing drops are used for the throw in of tonometer that actually touches the eye.
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Some doctors use an air-puff tonometer, for which no numbing drops are needed.
Lensometer
Ohio Air National Guard/Staff Sgt.
John Wilkes
A lensometer measures the power of an existing lens.
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An optician uses a lensometer to determine the prescription of a patients current eyeglasses.
Sometimes, it can serve as a good baseline for a new prescription.
It can also be used to show how much a prescription has changed since the last doctors visit.
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The doctor moves the light back and forth across the pupil.
It is also useful for determining how well the eyes work together to see clearly.
Younger adults can probably go once every two years.
Ohio Air National Guard/Staff Sgt. John Wilkes
But there are exceptions.
Your doctor may put drops in your eyes that will dilate (open) your pupils.
An eye doctor attaches a special gear to you.
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This is a phoropter or refractor.
As you look through the lenses in this machine, you could see a chart.
A number of lenses of different strengths are loaded into the machine.
This tells the doctor what prescription glasses or contacts you need.
American Optometric Association.Comprehensive adult eye and vision examination.
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MedlinePlus.Refraction.
