Facts about Eye Exams

Your vision is among your most precious possessions, so protecting your eyes is crucial. There are several things you can do to safeguard your sight. Wear eye protective when appropriate. Include lots of fruits and leafy green vegetables in your diet. Adding Omega-3 fatty acids is also good for your eyes. The most important thing you can do to protect your vision is to have regular eye exams performed by a qualified optometrist.

How Vision Works

The process of seeing starts when light enters the cornea, which is the clear outermost part of the eye. The cornea bends light, which then reaches the iris. This is the colored part of your eye. The iris dilates and contracts to control the intensity of light entering your eye. Behind the iris is a lens that focuses light onto a photosensitive layer called the retina. The retina converts light to nerve signals and sends them to the visual cortex of your brain by way of the optic nerve.

Comprehensive Eye Exams

A complete eye exam includes various tests. The eye doctor will put drops in your eyes to force the iris to dilate as much as possible. This allows the doctor to see into your eye’s interior, so he can diagnose eye problems or diseases. It takes several hours for the drops to wear off. Bring sunglasses because your eyes will be very sensitive. Your vision may be blurry, so you should not drive home from an eye exam.

What to Tell the Eye Doctor

Tell the optometrist about all medications you are taking, including dietary supplement. You should provide your family medical history and a list of medical conditions. This is important information because these things can impact your vision. For example, diabetes puts you at greater risk for vision loss.

Have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. If you haven’t had your eyes checked recently, call and make an appointment at our office in Levittown NY today.