Same Day Eye Exams: What to Expect  

Most people schedule same-day or next-day eye exams if they’re experiencing a sudden problem with their eyes or vision. If you have an appointment for a same-day eye exam, bring your current corrective lenses. You may also want to tote along a pair of sunglasses in the event your eye doctor in Columbia, MD, performs a dilated eye exam.

What Happens at a Same-Day Eye Exam

At your exam, your eye doctor will sit down with you to discuss the reason for your visit. This is the time to talk about your vision concerns and what you hope to achieve during and after your appointment. They may take a short medical history and ask about any vision-related difficulties or symptoms you’re experiencing. Afterward, they’ll perform your exam, which may vary depending upon your needs. In most instances, a routine eye exam measures different aspects of your vision, including:

• Eye movement
• Acuity
• Refraction
• Visual field
• Color processing
• Intraocular pressure

Your eye doctor will perform a variety of tests and will ask you to perform different exercises, such as following a light with your eyes, reading a vision chart, or sitting still as they administer a brief puff of air to your eyes. These tests are painless and noninvasive, but they give your vision specialist insight into what may be causing your vision problems.

If You Need a Dilated Eye Exam

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, your eye doctor may use eyedrops to dilate your eyes. Once administered, the eye drops take several minutes to dilate the eyes fully. This means you may have a short wait of around 10 minutes before your doctor examines your eyes.

The purpose of a dilated eye exam is to allow the doctor to see the back of your eye. This area includes the retina, the blood vessels that nourish the retina, and the optic disk. They can usually do this by shining a small pinpoint of light into your eye. The eye drops prevent the pupil from contracting during the exam.

Same-Day Eye Exams in Columbia, MD

To schedule a same-day or next-day eye exam in the Columbia, MD, area, call Dr. Jan Eye Care today. Our experienced and friendly clinicians are waiting to see you.