An eye exam will help you maintain clear vision by monitoring eyesight changes and assessing the overall health of your eyes. Adults should have yearly exams, as should children who wear glasses or contact lenses; kids who require no vision correction should see an eye doctor at least every two years. To help you prepare for an eye exam, below are three common assessments to expect during your visit.

What to Expect During an Eye Exam

1. A Visual Acuity Test

This is the test most often associated with an eye exam. The patient reads a series of letters on a chart or screen so doctors can determine how clearly the patient sees. The letters get progressively smaller as you move down the chart. The eyes are typically tested together and separately. When tested separately, you’re given an instrument to cover the opposite eye. A patient's reading vision can also be measured with a visual acuity test by reading the letters on a small eye chart held at reading distance.

2. A Refraction Assessment

A refraction assessment gauges how light waves focus on the back of the eye. As light moves through the lens and cornea, the waves bend. If they don't focus precisely on the back of the eye—which is known as a refractive error—some vision correction is needed. Once the assessment determines the extent of the refractive error, the patient is given a series of lenses for each eye and tells the doctor which combination of lenses provide the clearest vision.

3. A Glaucoma Test

Also known as the eye puff test, glaucoma testing is most often performed through a brief procedure called noncontact tonometry. It evaluates the fluid pressure inside the eye. Abnormalities in fluid pressure can be a sign of glaucoma, a serious eye disease that impairs the optic nerve and has the potential to cause blindness. During noncontact tonometry, a small puff of air is blasted into each eye. While it can be startling, the test is not painful and is an important part of an eye exam.

These are just a few of the testing measures your eye doctor might incorporate into your exam. Dr. Thomas Deluca Dr. Anthony Marciano & Associates PC offer eye care services to patients throughout New Haven County, CT. In addition to routine eye exams, they have a full-service optical department that includes a large selection of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Call (203) 758-4447 to make an appointment or visit them online to browse their eye exam services.