| When acquiring glasses or contacts, one must | | | | tests to assess the eye's cornea surface to |
| have an eye exam. Most people do not think | | | | make sure the contact lenses will fit properly. You |
| about whether there is a difference between the | | | | will be asked questions about your lifestyle so the |
| two exams. There are actual distinct differences | | | | doctor can select the best type of contact lens |
| between an eye exam for eyeglasses and an | | | | for your situation. A device called a keratometer |
| eye exam for contact lenses. | | | | measures the surface and curvature of the eye. |
| The following describes the differences with an | | | | The doctor will measure this by using an |
| eye exam for eyeglasses and an exam for | | | | instrument called a keratometer. A keratometer is |
| contact lenses: | | | | a type of digital camera that takes pictures of |
| Eye Exam for Eyeglasses | | | | your eye to create mathematical depictions of |
| The purpose of an eye exam is to diagnose | | | | the curvature of your cornea's surface. This test |
| problems with one's vision and any diseases of | | | | determines the correct curve and size for your |
| the eye. You will be required to read an eye | | | | contact lenses. Corneal topography may also be |
| chart. This includes reading with both eyes than | | | | done to give more details about the surface of |
| each on their own. The eye doctor will then | | | | the cornea. The health of your cornea may be |
| perform a Retinoscopy. In a darkened exam | | | | evaluated using a biomicroscope.You may also |
| room, the doctor will provide you with a point to | | | | have your pupils measured using a pupil card, |
| stare at, and then the doctor will shine a light in | | | | ruler, or pupillometer. A card or ruler displaying |
| the eye. How the light bounces off the eye is a | | | | different pupil sizes will be held next to your eye |
| determining factor in what the strength of your | | | | to find the best match. Contact lens fittings may |
| eyeglass prescription will be. The eye doctor will | | | | also include a tear film evaluation. The amount of |
| also perform a Refraction test. A device called a | | | | eye moisture may be assessed using a small strip |
| Phoropter is used to perform the test. You will | | | | of paper placed under the lower eyelid. As well, a |
| look through a mask device held up to your face | | | | fluorescein dye may be placed in your eye and |
| and the doctor will show you a series of letters | | | | then the doctor will assess how long it takes for |
| and ask you to state which one is clearer. The | | | | the dye to be washed away by tears. |
| doctor will be flipping lenses in the mask to | | | | After the tests have been completed and |
| different strengths. This test determines whether | | | | evaluated, your eye doctor will select the best |
| one has nearsightedness, farsightedness, | | | | contact lenses for you. You will then have to |
| astigmatism, and/or presbyopia. The eye doctor | | | | maintain regular eye check visits to make sure |
| will then perform a slit-lamp exam. This device | | | | you are not developing any problems. |
| allows the doctor to assess the structures of the | | | | There are differences between exams for |
| eye. It is used to identify eye infection and eye | | | | eyeglasses and exams for contacts. The |
| disease. | | | | important thing to remember is that these tests |
| Eye Exam for Contact Lenses | | | | are designed to ensure that you maintain good |
| A contact lens exam concentrates on only one | | | | eye health. |
| feature of eye health. The eye doctor will run | | | | |