Cover test
Helps evaluate if you have an ocular misalignment. You
will be seated and asked to focus on an object at a
distance. You’ll be wearing corrected lenses.
The single cover test will be performed first and it is to
determine if you have heterotopia or a lazy eye. As the
eye is covered the uncovered eye is observed for any
shift in fixation. The occulder is removed and any
refixation movements are noted. The same is repeated
for the opposite eye. If there is no shift in the fixation
then the uncovered eye is in the setting of heterotropia.
If the uncovered eye shifts towards the nose then if
means there is exotropia. If the uncovered eye shifts out
towards the temporals this means there is esotropia.
The cover uncover test is performed to determine if you
have heterophoria. Which is when your eyes have a
tendency to misalign when not being used. Examiner
occludes one eye and then the other and switches the
occluder back and forth to occlude the eyes with
allowing fusion between the occlusion. If the uncovered
eye doesn’t show a fixation shift when the occlude is
placed but as binocular conditions are restored it shows
a phoria.
OPTOMETRIST
Healthcare professionals who provide primary vision
care ranging from sight testing and correction to
management of the vision changes.
They are not medical doctors, they receive a doctor of
optometry degree after completing four years of
optometry school. They don’t require on the job
training or related work experience.
They are licensed to practice optometry but cannot
practice medicine and surgery as a form of treatment.
WHAT YOU
NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT
AN EYE EXAM
Visual Acuity test
This test helps measure how clearly you see.
Your doctor will ask you to remove your glasses
or contact lenses and identify different letters of
the alphabet printed on a chart about 20 feet
away.
If you are not sure of the letter you may guess.
The test is done on each eye, individually.
The test will help identify any changes in vision
The results are expressed as a fraction. 20/20 is
normal. the number at the top refers to the
distance you stand from the chart. The bottom
number indicates the distance a person with
normal eye sight could read the line.
Any abnormal results like 20/40 may indicate
you need vision correction.
Valeria Sosa
The glaucoma test
This test measures the fluid pressure inside of your eyes
or the intraocular pressure. This helps detect glaucoma.
With applanation tonometry it measures the
amount of This test measures the amount of force
needed to temporarily flatten a part of your cornea.
Fluorescein, the same dye used in a regular slitlamp exam, is usually put in your eye to make
your eye easier to see. You'll also receive eyedrops
containing an anesthetic. Using the slit lamp, your
doctor moves the tonometer to touch your cornea
and determine the eye pressure. Because your eye
is numbed, you won't feel anything.
Noncontact tonometry. This method uses a puff
of air to estimate the pressure in your eye. No
instruments will touch your eye, so you won't need
an anesthetic. You'll feel a momentary pulse of air
on your eye, which can be a surprising.
Slit lamp exam
A slit lamp is a microscope the magnifies and
illuminates the front of your eye with an intense line
of light. Your doctor uses this light to examine the
eyelids, lashes, cornea, iris, lens and fluid chamber
between your cornea and iris.
While examining your cornea, your doctor may use a
dye to color the film of tears over your eye. This is to
see any damaged cells in the front of your eye. The
doctor will use a low powered microscope along with
a slit lamp to look into your eye.
The slit lamp exam can help diagnose, macular
degeneration, cataracts, and any injury to the cornea.
Any abnormal results may arise from general vision
problems, infections, inflammation and glaucoma.
OPTHAMOLOGIST
An Eye M.D. is a medical or osteopathic doctor who
specializes in eye and vision care. They have the
highest level of training with what they can diagnose
and treat. They are able to specialize in a specific area
of medical or surgical care. But are required to take
one or two more years of in depth medical training.
They are licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
They diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye
surgery and prescribes and fits lenses to correct vision
problems.
They complete four years of college, four years of
medical school, one year of internship, and a
minimum of three years because of the hospital based
residency.
Optician
Opticians are technicians trained to design,
verify and fit eyeglass lenses and other
devices to correct eyesight.
They do not test vision or write prescriptions
for visual correction.
They are not permitted to diagnose or treat
eye diseases.
In some states they are required to complete
an optician training program and be licensed.
Other state don’t require opticians to obtain
formal training.
Retinal
Examination
Allows your doctor to evaluate the back of
your eye and detect problems of the eye.
The doctor will dilate your pupils with eye
drops to prevent the pupils from getting
smaller when your doctor shines light into
the eye. There or two ways your doctor may
use to view the back of your eye
Direct examination, will you are seated in a
dark room and are staring straight ahead
your doctor will use an ophthalmoscope to
shine a beam of light through your pupil and
to see the back of your eye.
Indirect: the doctor uses a small handheld
lens and a slit lamp microscope. It helps
provide a wider view of the inside of the eye.
Usually done by an ophthalmologist.
Abnormal results can indicate if the retina is
detached, optic nerve problems, damaged
blood vessels, or cataracts found.