Why go get an eye exam?It's important for adults to have

eye exams on a regular basis to check for problems. Regular eye exams are critical for detecting:

Glaucoma

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Cataracts

Diabetic retinopathy

Everyone needs regular eye exams. This is particularly important if you have risk factors or a family history of eye problems. Children need their vision checked at 6 months, 3 years, and before first grade.

Rose MillayWhat You Need to Know about an Eye Exam.

What to expect in an eye exam?Visual acuity test: You'll sit in front of an eye chart, with letters that get smaller as you read down each line. You cover each eye in turn and, using the other eye, read aloud, going down the chart, until you can't read the letters anymore.Slit lamp (biomicroscope): The slit lamp magnifies and lights up the front of your eye. The eye doctor uses it to detect several eye diseases and disorders by examining your cornea, iris, lens,

Eye muscle movement test: To assure that the eyes are normally aligned, the doctor will ask you to visually track a target in different directions and observe your eye movements.Cover test: This is a check for how well your eyes work together. As you stare at a small target some distance away, the doctor will cover and uncover each eye to observe how much your eyes move, watching for an eye that turns away from the target (strabismus). The test may be repeated with a target close to you.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight and no vision.”

Retinal examination (ophthalmoscopy): Using an ophthalmoscope and pupil dilation, the eye doctor examines the back of your eyes: retina, retinal blood vessels, vitreous, and optic nerve head.Glaucoma testing: This tests whether the fluid pressure inside your eyes is within a normal range. Painless and taking just a few seconds, the test can be done several ways..

These are just a few of the different tests and processes to expect when visiting an eye doctor!