THE EYE TEST
Your sight test
If you think a sight test is just about reading a few letters on the chart and the optician putting different lenses before you...you may just be suprised to know how much more is done in the 20mins you're in the testing room...
HISTORY AND SYMPTOMS
The Optician intially asks about your reason of visit, and about any syptoms such as headaches, flaters, blurry vision, double vision and flashing lights. Futhermore, the Optician enquires about your general health and of your lifestyle.
VISIONS AND COVER TEST
The Optician will ask you to read the chart without any optical correction and then test how your eye muscles are working toghetr via the cover test. In which the eyes are covers and uncovered with a plastic stick.
PUPILS
A pentouch is used to shine a light into both eyes one after the other to test the reponse to light. An abnormal reponse could be a result to leisions in the back of the eye and brain.
MOTILITY
You are asked to follow a pentouch light into different directions of daze to detect and double vision or pain. Results from this test are used to assess binocular vision problem and may have brain realted complications too.
OPHTHALMOSCOPY
Using an instrument called an Opthalmoscope the Optometrist examines the health of your eyes. Observing all the structures from the anterior to the posterior eye, the Optometrist determines any pathology in the eyes, and conditions such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Age related Macular Degeneration, and cataracts are seen at this point.
RETINOSCOPY
A light is shone in to the eyes, using a retinoscope. This allows the Optometrist to determine the Prescription independent of any response from the patient. This test is very useful with Children and with patients where communication is difficult. Sometimes eyedrops called ,Cyclopentolate, are instilled in childrens eyes to assist with this test.
SUBJECTIVE REFRACTION
A trail frame is adjusted to fit the patient, and then different powered lenses are placed into the frame until the patient and the Optometrist are satisfied that the patient can see their best achieveble vision.