We put our eyes through a lot of work, from reading to observing, but did you know that an individual spends 6 hours watching the screen on average? This is to much pressure on the eyes, which may lead to too much strain on the eyes, and hence, one should go for regular eye exams. Regular eye exams are necessary for your eye health. Whether your job requires regular eye examinations or not, you should undergo essential eye tests.
Today, we’ll discuss which common eye tests that are a part of regular eye examinations by your optometrist.
When it comes to eye exams, what all pictures and thoughts come to your mind? You probably imagine yourself seeing various alphabets, and your eyes are exposed to thick and bulky instruments. Many times your optometrist will change some lenses and ask you to read the alphabet. That bulky instrument is known as the phoropter machine used for conducting retinoscopy tests.
The retinoscopy test allows your optometrist to evaluate and further prescribe the best lens for you. As you use the phoropter machine to see the alphabet, the optometrist keeps changing the letters and lenses. In the entire procedure, you have to focus on a particular object. The optometrist put light on your eyes and evaluates how the light affects your eyes with and without lenses.
Keratometry
A Keratometry test is used for measuring the curve and shape of your eyes. In other words, this test evaluates the shape of your cornea. The shape of your cornea will decide how the light is affecting your eyes. Most people have astigmatism, which doesn’t initially show many adverse effects but later leads to serious eye diseases. When you’re suffering from this disorder, your cornea becomes steep, and you probably don’t know until you undergo eye exams. As a result, many optometrists include the Keratometry test in the necessary eye examinations. When you undergo this test, your eyes are exposed to a special machine. Your optometrist will adjust the machine according to your eye's shape. Later, the optometrist will take specific measurements indicating your cornea’s correct shape and size. In our opinion, a Keratometry test should be a must in eye exams.
Refraction Test
The next type of eye exam is the refraction test which is done after the Retinoscopy. It is necessary for developing your eyeglasses prescription. In this test, again, your eyes will be exposed to a phoropter, and you’ll be asked to look at the eye chart. Don’t consider the refraction test as the regular vision test. Nevertheless, the refraction test and retinoscopy test are almost the same with minor differences. Here also multiple pairs of lenses will be used by your optometrist. Later he/she will ask you to tell in which lenses your eyesight was crystal clear. Later, the optometrist will evaluate your answers and find whether your eyesight is good or not or if you have astigmatism. In our opinion, the refraction test shouldn’t be overlooked in basic eye exams.
Visual Acuity
Visual acuity is actually the most basic eye test. Whatever you imagine, after hearing the name ‘optometrist’ is the visual acuity test. In this test, you’re asked to close one eye and read the letters with another eye from a specific distance. Your optometrist will record your answer and determine whether your eyesight is perfect or not.
Final Words
These are the regular yet necessary eye tests that are a part of basic eye exams. All these tests are very simple, painless, and less time-consuming. If your optometrist is adding some other tests, ask him/her the reason for additional tests.
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