Prescription glasses are vital to your overall health and well-being. The right pair of glasses can help you see better and protect your eyes from damage.

 However, most people with eye problems rush out and buy a pair of glasses without first getting an eye exam. This is a mistake, as it can lead to poor vision and even permanent damage. An optometrist or ophthalmologist should do an eye exam. They can give you the right prescription for your glasses.

This article highlights the eye exams available for patients. It also discusses what to expect from them.

What Tests Should You Take Before Getting Glasses?

Before getting those prescription glasses trendy, you should first get an eye exam from a certified optician. This is because many things can affect your vision. So, glasses are not the only option for correcting them.

You may need contact lenses or even surgery to restore your eyesight to normal. The doctor will perform the following tests during the eye exam:

Visual Acuity Test

This test is one of the most basic eye exams the doctor will perform during a visit to an optometrist. The optometrist will ask you to read letters on a chart, usually 20 feet (6.1 m) away from your eyes.

 The letters become smaller as you move down the chart, which can help detect any problems in your vision.

Color Blindness Test

Color blindness is a condition that affects the ability to see colors. People with this condition cannot tell specific colors apart. They may also confuse them for other colors.

 A color blindness test will be performed during an eye exam. The doctor presents different color combinations that you must identify. These colors are either red, green, or blue.

Eye Movement Test

The brain and the nervous system control the body’s movements. When you move your eyes from one side to another, it takes messages from your brain to tell them where to go and how fast.

 A lack of proper eye movements can lead to problems like difficulty focusing on objects. An eye exam will include an evaluation of how you move your eyes. The doctor uses different types of lenses that help enhance this ability.

Slit Lamp Exam

In a slit lamp exam, the doctor uses a special microscope to examine your eyes. The slit lamp can magnify the eye up to 25 times its actual size, allowing the doctor to see more detail.

 This exam examines the front surface of the eye (cornea). It looks at structures inside your eye, like the lens and retina.

Glaucoma Test

Glaucoma is a significant cause of blindness in the United States. It is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness if not treated.

 The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle. This usually has no symptoms until significant sight loss occurs. The condition develops slowly over time and often goes undetected. It then becomes severe enough to affect your vision.

 The glaucoma test involves the doctor measuring the pressure inside your eyes. Your doctor can also use this test to detect signs of other eye diseases with similar symptoms.

Visual Field Test (Perimetry)

A visual field test (perimetry) measures how well your eyes detect peripheral vision. The test measures the sensitivity of your optic nerve to light. It helps determine if there are any problems with your retina or macular.

 During this test, you’ll be asked to sit in front of a computer screen. You’ll wear special glasses that block out everything except what’s on the screen. Then your doctor will put small flashing lights on the screen.

Retinal Exam

The retina is the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that senses light and helps us see. It comprises nerve cells called photoreceptors. These contain special structures called cones and rods. The retina also contains blood vessels that supply oxygen to these cells.

 Your doctor will look at your retina with an ophthalmoscope or fundus camera. They will check for changes in color or texture. This helps your doctor detect eye disease or damage. This can as bleeding, swelling, or abnormal tissue growth. You might also want to learn about Alimera Sciences if you're interested in innovative treatments for retinal diseases.

Refraction Test

Refraction means “bending light,” and it’s a measurement of how the shape of your eye affects how you see. Your doctor uses a handheld device called an autorefractor to measure your refraction.

 This instrument uses light waves to determine how well each eye focuses images on the retina. This helps them determine if eyeglasses or contact lenses are needed.

Conclusion

The above eye exams can help your doctor detect and treat many common eye problems. They also provide a baseline for future exams. So if you experience new or worsening symptoms, your doctor can use these exams to identify the cause.