Regular eye and vision exams are crucial for maintaining healthy eyes and vision. Some conditions, like glaucoma and macular degeneration, progress slowly without noticeable symptoms, making these exams integral for preserving your eyesight. Optometric Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS, is here to tell you what to expect during an eye and vision exam and why they are so important for your eye and overall health.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam
Our optometrists will begin your exam by asking about your medical and family history, particularly if you or your family has a history of eye problems and specific conditions. We do this to determine your risk factors for certain eye diseases. After this discussion, our optometrists will perform a series of tests to assess your vision and eye health. These may include:
• Visual acuity testing: Better known as the eye chart test, our optometrists conduct this test to evaluate your ability to see objects at various distances. Doing this helps identify issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
• Refraction testing: We do this to determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Tonometry: This painless test measures the pressure inside your eye to detect glaucoma.
• Slit lamp examination: Our optometrists use a bright light and a magnifying lens to examine the structures of your eye in detail, including the cornea, iris, lens, and retina.
• Pupil dilation: We may dilate your pupils to get a better view of the inside of your eye and check for eye diseases.
Benefits of Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams offer multiple benefits for your eye health and overall well-being. Early detection of eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration allows for prompt treatment and management, potentially preventing vision loss. These exams can also identify systemic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure that sometimes manifest in the eyes.
For children, regular eye exams are essential for ensuring proper visual development. Early detection and treatment of vision problems in childhood can prevent learning difficulties and other complications. Adults who wear corrective lenses also require regular eye exams to keep their prescriptions accurate.
Visit Our Optometrist Near You to Keep Your Eyes and Vision Healthy
If you are due for an eye and vision exam or experience sudden blurry vision that warrants attention, contact your “optometrist near you” at the Optometric Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS. Our optometry team will evaluate your eyes and provide treatment to help you maintain clear and comfortable vision. Call us and schedule an eye exam today at (601) 545-2020 to keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong.