You rely on your vision every single day, which is why it’s important to schedule regular eye exams. At Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage, AK, the doctors will assess your vision thoroughly, recommending any treatment options necessary to correct problems. If you’ve never had an eye exam before, here’s what you can expect during the process.

A Guide to an Eye Exam

1. Discussion

When you first meet with the eye doctor, you’ll discuss any issues regarding your sight. Take this opportunity to ask any questions you might have, and your doctor will be glad to answer them.

2. Visual Acuity Test

The doctor will then proceed to display a chart on the other side of the room and ask you to read letters off of it to test the strength of your eyesight. They might also perform a color blindness test, which involves looking at a pattern with two similar colors and identifying the symbol in it.

3. Movement & Depth Perception

The doctor will ask you to follow a moving object with your eyes. This test serves to assess your ability to track moving objects visually. They’ll also perform a depth perception test, during which you’ll wear 3-D glasses and select the image that looks closest to you from a series of options in a booklet.

4. Refraction Test

If you need glasses or contact lenses, the doctor will turn down the lights and ask you to look through a machine that allows them to test different lenses to determine the ideal prescription. You’ll see a letter or symbol on the screen and tell the doctor whether a lens is more or less effective than others.

These are the basic steps of a comprehensive exam, and the doctor might recommend additional tests if they believe you need them. At Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage, the professionals believe strongly in helping patients enjoy all of the benefits of strong eyesight throughout life. Visit them online to learn more about their comprehensive eye exams, or call (907) 276-3937 to schedule an appointment.