Routine Eye Care

Routine eye exams are used to detect many eye conditions, including:

Eye exams tests

Some of the most common eye exam tests include:

Eye muscle movement test: The provider asks the patient to follow a specific object, such as a light or pen, with their eyes. This test is done to ensure the eyes are aligned correctly and that there is no damage to each eye muscle.
Cover test: Here, the patient looks at an object first with both eyes, then with each eye individually. This determines whether or not the eyes are working well together, or if there’s a vision problem in just one eye.
External exam: During this test, the doctor holds up a light to each eye close and at a distance in order to see how the pupils dilate.
Visual acuity test: This is also known as a chart test and is perhaps the most famous part of the eye exam. Here, the patient reads a letter chart at a distance. The letters on the chart get progressively smaller, providing a simple analysis of the patient’s overall vision.
Retinoscopy: This test is done with a large machine known as a retinoscope, which cycles through various lenses. These lenses test the light refraction in each eye.
Refraction testing: This can also be performed using a retinoscope, and is often done to fine-tune a specific glasses or contacts prescription. This test cycles back and forth between two lenses to determine which is better for the patient.