Do You Need A Different Exam For Glasses Or Contacts?

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9503
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The first thing that you will need if you are in the market for new eyeglasses or contacts is an actual vision appointment. There are those who think that these appointments are going to be the same but that is not the case. In fact there are some big differences between the two.

If you are going to be getting eyeglasses then you will need to have your vision problems and any possible eye diseases diagnosed. The first thing that you will be asked to do is to read the standard eye chart that is associated with any vision appointment. After that a retinoscopy will be performed. This is done in a room where the lights have been turned off. The doctor will have you stare at a point and then will shine a light into the eye. The way that the light bounces off of the light will determine the prescription that you need. The next step is the refraction test which is done with a phoropter. You will be asked to look through a mask while the doctor is changing the lenses to find out where you can best see. This test will show whether or not you have astigmatism, presbyopia, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. Finally ...
... there is the slit lamp exam where the structure of the eye is going to be examined to rule out any possible diseases or infections. The good news is the eye exam price for this is surprisingly affordable and sometimes it can even be free.

If you would like to get contacts, then you are going to have to go through different types of tests. This exam actually is going to focus on one specific feature of the eye’s health. The thing that has to be done is that the cornea surface has to be tested to make sure that the contacts are going to fit appropriately. Then you are going to be asked a lot of questions about your lifestyle and the things that you enjoy doing on a regular basis. You will then have the curvature and the surface of the eye measured with a keratometer. This is a special kind of camera that is going to take pictures of your eye in order to figure out the curvature of the surface of the cornea. This will give the doctor a clear picture about the right size and curve for the contacts. If there is anything questionable then the doctor might choose corneal topography to find out more information. A biomicroscope could be used to elvaluate the overall health of your cornea. In addition you pupils might need to be measured. This can be done with a pupillometer, pupil card, or ruler. Basically there are different sizes of pupils and they will be held next to your eye so that the doctor can figure out which you best match with. There could be a tear film evaluation done at the time of the fitting too. This will help to figure out how much moisture is naturally produced by your eyes and if you will be at greater risk for tearing a contact in your eye because of dryness. The eye exam price for this appointment is rarely free and usually costs more than the alternative.

Whether you choose to get contacts or Eyeglasses , there are specific tests that you will first have to do. Eye Dr Prices can help you get the needed information regarding the Eye exam price for the different kinds of tests.