| Whether you think you need vision correction and | | | | you need one) will be. |
| are considering contact lenses, or whether you've | | | | Refraction |
| been using glasses or contacts for years, you | | | | This test helps your eye care professional |
| may be curious about the difference between a | | | | determine the exact level of augmentation that |
| routine eye exam and a contact lens exam. | | | | your vision requires. Refraction is done with a |
| Perhaps you've never thought about it, always | | | | machine called a phoropter. The doctor will show |
| assuming that both are one and the same. The | | | | you a series of lens choices and ask you which of |
| truth is, there are some fundamental differences | | | | the choices looks clearer. Based on your |
| between these two types of exams. The | | | | answers,the doctor will be able to determine your |
| information below will give you an overview about | | | | level of nearsightedness, farsightedness, |
| each type of exam and explain the difference | | | | astigmatism and/or presbyopia. |
| between the two so that you can ensure you are | | | | Slit-Lamp Examination |
| scheduling the right type of appointment with | | | | A slit-lamp is an instrument that allows your |
| your eye care professional. | | | | doctor to examine the health of your eyes using |
| Routine Eye Exam | | | | a machine that highly magnifies all the structures |
| A routine eye exam exists for the purpose of | | | | contained therein. This way,your eye doctor can |
| detecting vision problems, eye disease and general | | | | examine each part of your eye to evaluate them |
| eye health issues. An eye exam can help identify | | | | for infection or disease. |
| any of these concerns before you are even | | | | There are various other tests that eye doctors |
| aware that they exist. It is generally | | | | can choose to use during an eye exam to |
| recommended that everyone have a routine eye | | | | determine the general health and well-being of |
| exam every 1 to 3 years, depending on age, risk | | | | your eyes. A contact lens exam is different in |
| factors and physical condition. | | | | that it focuses on only one aspect of your eye |
| What to Expect | | | | health. |
| Eye doctors use a variety of tests and | | | | The Contact Lens Exam |
| procedures to examine your eyes. You will most | | | | If you wear contact lenses or are considering |
| likely be asked to read an eye chart. First you will | | | | starting, you should make sure to schedule a |
| read the chart with both eyes uncovered. Then | | | | contact lens exam versus a regular eye exam. |
| you will read the chart while you cover one eye | | | | Basically, your eye doctor will need to run tests |
| (and then the other eye). Your eye doctor will | | | | that will evaluate the surface of your eye's |
| then perform tests which may or may not include | | | | cornea in order to ensure a proper contact lens |
| these common tests: | | | | fit. Your doctor will also ask a series of questions |
| Retinoscopy | | | | about your lifestyle and preferences in order to |
| For this test,the lights in the room are dimmed | | | | determine the best type of contact lenses to |
| and you will be asked to focus your eyes on a | | | | prescribe for you. The doctor will measure the |
| target. While you stare at the target, a light will be | | | | surface and curvature of your eye using an |
| shined into your eye and flip different lenses in a | | | | instrument called a kerameter. Then your pupil |
| machine in front of your eyes. The way the light | | | | and iris will be measured. Finally, your eye doctor |
| bounces off of your eye will provide a general | | | | will select contact lenses for you and instruct you |
| approximation of what your prescription (should | | | | in proper insertion and care. |