Whether you need eye care or want to upgrade your prescription, finding the right medical professional can make all the difference. Ask your regular healthcare providers for recommendations, or check reputable medical review websites.
Once you’ve narrowed your list of possibilities, ensure your chosen ophthalmologist is in-network to keep your costs low. Also, please pay attention to how thoroughly they answer your questions. Contact Maryland Eye Care Center now!
The idea of someone poking around your eyes might make you a little nervous, but eye exams are completely safe, painless and necessary for healthy vision. They can also detect early signs of some health conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetes.
Your exam will begin with a questionnaire, which may ask about any symptoms you have or your family’s medical history. Be sure to fill it out carefully and answer all the questions truthfully, even those that don’t relate directly to your eyes.
Once the doctor has a clear picture of your medical history, she’ll start the tests. Some will check your visual acuity, which measures the smallest letters you can read on a Snellen chart at a distance and close to your face. She’ll also cover one eye at a time to see how your eyes work together. This test, called a refraction, determines your prescription. The doctor will then use a device called a phoropter, which has several lenses with different powers, to find the correct lens prescription for you.
Other tests will look for abnormal blood vessels or nerves in the back of your eye, which can be a sign of glaucoma. These tests involve blowing a puff of air in your eye or touching the surface with a small probe. Both tests are quick and painless, but they can cause dilation. If you’re worried about this, ask the doctor not to dilate your eyes for this part of the exam.
For the final part of your examination, the doctor will use a slit lamp microscope to examine the health of the front of your eyes, including the cornea and lens. She’ll then take digital photos of your retina and optic nerve. The doctor may recommend additional tests based on what she finds during the rest of your exam.
Your appointment will last an hour or two, especially if it’s your first visit to the new doctor. If you have a busy schedule, look for a doctor who has convenient hours and doesn’t require a long wait to get an appointment. Also, choose a clinic with up-to-date equipment; outdated tools can signal that the doctor doesn’t take your eye health seriously.
Preparation
If you are feeling nervous about your eye appointment, it may be helpful to bring a friend or family member with you for moral support. They can also help you remember any questions and concerns you might forget. Bringing a written list of your symptoms will help you make sure you cover all the points you want to. You should also make a list of any medications you are currently taking, including supplements. It is important to be honest about these, as some of them can interact with the eyes and have side effects.
It is also a good idea to bring any current prescription glasses or contact lenses you wear, so the doctor can assess their effectiveness. It is a good idea to remove the contacts before your exam, especially if you wear them overnight. It is a good idea to bring sunglasses as well, as your eyes will be dilated during the test and will be sensitive to light afterwards.
The eye doctor will begin the exam by reviewing your medical and vision history, and asking about any symptoms you are experiencing. They will then ask about your family history, as many eye conditions have a genetic cause and can run in families. They will also ask about any medications you are currently taking, as some can interact with the eyes and have side effects.
During the next part of the exam, the doctor will examine the exterior of your eyes, such as the whites of the eye and the position of the eyelids. They will also check your pupils’ reactions to light, as this can be a sign of certain eye problems. Then the doctor will check your vision (visual acuity) by having you read letters on a Snellen chart, which get smaller line by line. They may also do a cover test, where they will have you alternately cover one eye and then the other to see how well your eyes are working together.
For some exams, the eye doctor will give you drops that will enlarge or dilate your pupils. This will allow them to take a closer look at the inside of your eyes, and will also let them know more accurately what your refractive error is, so they can provide you with the correct prescription for glasses.
Examination
The eye doctor uses various instruments and techniques to check the health of your eyes. Depending on your history and general health, this part of the exam can take up to half an hour.
The doctor will ask you about any vision problems you have and how long you’ve had them. Your overall health, including any medicines you’re taking and your family history of eye or medical problems, will also be reviewed.
An examination of the front of your eyes will be performed, as well as an evaluation of the internal structure of the eye (called ophthalmoscopy). The doctor may look for signs of glaucoma or other diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. He or she will use a special instrument called a biomicroscope, which allows the doctor to examine the inside of your eye at high magnification.
Some comprehensive exams require the eyes to be dilated. The doctor will put eye drops in your eyes that make the pupils enlarge. This allows the doctor to use a series of tools to examine the eye’s interior, including its blood vessels, nerves and cornea. Some offices now have machines that allow the doctor to view the back of the eye (called the retina) without first having the pupil dilated, which can save time and money.
If you have a history of strabismus, the doctor will observe your eyes as they move together. The doctor will cover one of your eyes and then uncover it to see how far you can move each eye to align with the other. This can help detect abnormalities such as lazy eye or crossed eyes.
You’ll also be tested for how well you can follow a moving object with your eyes. The doctor will either move a target some distance away or ask you to quickly move your eyes between two separate targets positioned some distance apart. The doctor might also test for any quick movements of the eyes (called saccades) to look for problems such as ocular motor deficits.
The doctor will determine your lens prescription. This is done by having you look through lenses of varying powers and then using a handheld lighted instrument called a retinoscope to evaluate your results. Alternatively, the doctor might choose to use a machine that automatically estimates your prescription information (called an autorefractor).
Treatment
If you have an eye condition that requires treatment, it’s important to choose a practice with access to the latest diagnostic technology. For example, advanced imaging tools can detect early signs of eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy with remarkable accuracy. This information helps the eye doctor develop a treatment plan that reduces your risk of vision loss or blindness.
An Eye Care Practice with a Comfortable Support Staff and Clean Office Environment
Your doctor’s office should be well-organized, tidy and welcoming. This will set the tone for your visit and help you feel comfortable throughout your appointment. It’s also important to consider the support staff and whether they treat patients with respect and compassion. These factors can contribute to a strong doctor-patient relationship that improves patient outcomes.
An Eye Care Practice that Offers Comprehensive Services
A full-service eye care practice with optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians on staff can ensure you receive consistent, high-quality eye care for all your needs. This may include the latest diagnostic equipment, specialized frames and lenses and other options for your eye health. A practice that offers a range of services can save you time and money by providing all your needs in one location.
An Eye Care Practice with Dedicated Support Staff
Dedicated support staff, including registered nurses, can assist eye doctors with many clinical tasks such as administering medication and preparing for surgery. They can also provide education on eye conditions and answer questions about medications and treatment. Some ophthalmic registered nurses can also perform administrative functions, such as scheduling appointments and managing medical records.
A neuro-ophthalmologist specializes in conditions that are caused by problems with the brain or optic nerve. These include nystagmus (uncontrolled movement of the eyes), asymmetry of pupil size — known as anisocoria — and other neurological issues like multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and vascular abnormalities.