A standard eye exam encompasses many tests that not only evaluate the quality of your sight but the health of your eyes. They will detect vision problems and determine whether you need glasses, contact lenses, or other corrective measures. If you have scheduled an eye exam, the professionals at Allens Creek Family Optometry in Rochester, NY, explain various aspects of it and how they safeguard your eyesight.

5 Tests Included in an Eye Exam

Cover Test

To test patients for amblyopia — also known as "lazy eye" — an optometrist will perform a cover test. The patient will focus on a point at the far end of the room while the doctor covers one of their eyes and observes how the other reacts.

Color Blindness

The most common test for color blindness is called the Ishihara Test. During this evaluation, your optometrist will ask you to look through a series of plates containing colorful dots. Someone with normal vision will see numbers on the plates, but a colorblind person will not be able to distinguish them.

Visual Acuity

The most commonly recognized vision test involves the big chart with an “E” at the top. Your optometrist will have you read rows of letters on the chart that become gradually smaller to determine your visual ability.

Refraction

When it’s time to determine the prescription for your glasses, your optometrist will have you sit in front of a phoropter and present two lenses at a time, asking you which lens lets you see more clearly. After each response, your doctor will switch the pairings until they determine the ideal lenses for you.

Slit Lamp Exam

In addition to testing your vision, your optometrist will use a microscope-like device called a slit lamp to examine your eyes for cataracts, ulcers, and other conditions that could affect your vision and health. Before this exam, your doctor might use eye drops to dilate your pupils.

These are just a few of the tests used during a comprehensive eye exam at Allens Creek Family Optometry in Rochester, NY. If you think you need glasses or contacts, call (585) 461-6225 to schedule an appointment. Visit their website for details about their adult and pediatric eye exams that will ensure excellent vision and healthy eyes. Like the optometrist office on Facebook for eye care tips and updates.