Believe it or not, looking at an eye chart is not the main part of an eye exam. Of course, your visual acuity is tested to see if you need any visual correction in the form of glasses or contacts during an exam. Even though you feel that you see just fine, a yearly eye exam in Grand Rapids is recommended to maintain the health of your eyes.
A routine eye exam can catch health issues with your eyes before they become serious. Screening that assesses for glaucoma through pressure readings and examination of the optic nerve is important. Glaucoma is an invisible disease that can be acquired at any age and if left untreated, will eventually result in blindness. The great part about getting regular exams is that if caught early, glaucoma treatment is as easy and painless as putting drops in your eyes every day.
Inside and Out
A thorough look at both the inside and outside of your eyes is also a part of the standard eye exam in Grand Rapids. After dilation of your eye with drops, the inside of the eye is inspected, checking the condition of your retina and optic nerve. The optometrist is checking for silent, painless conditions like macular degeneration or a detached retina. Early treatment of these conditions can ultimately save your vision. The outside of the eye is viewed with a slit microscope and checks out the details of the cornea, pupil, iris, and lens. The optometrist looks for any inflammation of the iris, a sign of a condition called iritis. The cornea is also checked for any damage from contact lenses, bacteria, or viruses. Eye lenses are checked for clouding, an indication of a cataract.
Discovering Even More
By examining your eyes, an optometrist can tell whether they have been damaged by undiagnosed high blood pressure, diabetes, or inflammation. The exams are painless and are time well spent to safeguard your vision. Schedule an eye exam in Grand Rapids today.
