A Glossary of Eye Tests and Exams
Here's a quick overview of the unique tests your eye doctor could use during an examination.
Applanation Tonometry
The pressure required to flatten a section of your cornea is measured by this test. Your doctor uses pressure measures to identify and monitor glaucoma. Your eye will be numbed with drops before being gently probed with a device called a tonometer..
Corneal Topography
This digital examination maps your cornea's curvature. It may indicate issues with the surface of your eye, such as edema or scarring, astigmatism, or illnesses like keratoconus. Before surgery, a corneal transplant, or a contact lens fitting, you could have it.
Fluorescein Angiogram
The doctor may then observe how effectively the blood is flowing through your retina. It aids in the diagnosis of macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and diabetic retinopathy. A special dye called fluorescein will be injected by the physician into a vein in your arm. It soon makes its way to the blood vessels in your eye. Once it arrives, the doctor highlights the dye using a camera that has specialized filters. As the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina of your eye, photographs are taken. This enables them to detect aberrant blood vessels, swelling, leakage, or circulation issues.
Dilated Pupillary Exam
The doctor will dilate your pupil (expand it) using specialized drops. This enables them to examine your retina for illness symptoms.
Refraction
The doctor will use this to determine your prescription for glasses. You stare at a chart, often from a distance of 20 feet, or in a mirror that makes objects appear to be 20 feet away. You'll use a device known as a phoropter to view. It enables the doctor to adjust the strength of the lenses in front of your eyes. They can be informed if something appears clear or fuzzy. Their prescription for your glasses or contact lenses is determined by your responses. They will be able to detect presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism with the aid of the test.
Slit-Lamp Exam
With the use of this microscope, the doctor shines a light beam in the form of a tiny slit onto your eye. During the exam, they could also make your pupils dilated. It can aid in the diagnosis of dry eye illness, glaucoma, detached retina, macular degeneration, cataracts, and cataract surgery.
Non-Contact Tonometry
This test aids in the glaucoma diagnosis. The doctor will use a device called a tonometer to blast a tiny puff of air into the eye, measuring the eye's resistance to the puff to determine the pressure within the eye.
Instruments for applanation can also gauge pressure. You'll need a local anesthetic, but they are the most accurate.
Retinal Tomography
This digital examination may produce an incredibly accurate picture of the retina and all of its layers. If you have a significant retinal problem, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment, you might develop it.
Ultrasound
In this exam, sound waves are used to create an image of the inside of your eye. It aids in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, cataracts, and eye bleeding by your doctor. It may also be acquired before to cataract surgery.
Visual Acuity Testing
This gauges how clearly you can see both up close and far away. The doctor will perform a particular test if your child is not yet able to read. Your youngster will examine the letter "E" and use their fingers to show the doctor which way the legs are pointing. Before the test, you can practice this at home.
Visual Field Test
Your peripheral (side) eyesight is measured by this. You'll fix your gaze on anything in the middle of your field of vision, such as a computer screen or the doctor's eyes. You should keep track of when an object enters your range of vision while you stare at the target or, depending on the test, when the lit spot appears. This examination tells the doctor whether vision-impairing disorders like glaucoma or stroke have affected you.
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