What to Remember Before Your Next Eye Exam

Though often ignored, eye exams should be part of a healthy annual routine. Unfortunately, most people forget to schedule their appointments regularly, especially if they don’t have any eye condition. Even if you have perfect vision and don’t need contacts or glasses, you should schedule an appointment with an eye specialist at least every one or two years.

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Besides evaluating general eye health, a comprehensive eye exam can help prevent the progression of various eye conditions. To get the most from your scheduled appointment, you should familiarize yourself with the following important preparation measures preceding an eye exam appointment.

You should avoid straining your eyes the day before the exam. Overexerted eyes can lead to several problems, including drying, headaches, and difficulty sleeping, which can negatively affect the outcome of the exam. Unfortunately, suffering from eye strain is easy, given the hours most people spend looking at their digital devices.

Digital eye strain affects anyone who spends a lot of time on their computer or cell phone screens. Avoid spending a lot of hours the day preceding the appointment. Schedule a morning appointment if you use these screens at work or daily activities. Aim for at least eight hours of sleep for your eyes to be well-rested.

Everybody certainly loves a cup of morning coffee. However, you should avoid it if you have a scheduled eye exam. Coffee contains caffeine, which increases blood pressure. A comprehensive eye exam includes an assessment of eye pressure, which is influenced by the body’s general blood pressure. Increased eye pressure might be indicative of developing glaucoma.

You should avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks to ensure that your eye doctor gets the most accurate reading. Alcohol consumption also increases blood pressure and makes your eyes dry and irritated during the test.

You should prepare to discuss and ask your eye doctor any questions or issues arising. Ask your ophthalmologist any question revolving around your eye condition and other medical associations. Unfortunately, most patients often feel nervous and intimidated, especially if they are visiting an eye clinic for the first time.

You shouldn’t be nervous about the testing procedures, especially since modern technology has made comprehensive eye exams a pleasant experience. For instance, corneal imaging and retinal scans are currently done virtually using non-invasive digital cameras. Light sensitivity following pupil dilation is probably the only irritating thing about an eye exam.

Normally, a comprehensive eye exam should take less than one hour. Patients also rarely feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. If you feel anxious and overwhelmed, the optometric technician and optometrist can help reduce your anxiety.

Scheduled eye exam patients are also advised to wear sunglasses and stay hydrated before their appointments. Don’t forget to bring your insurance card for a seamless charging process if you have insurance. If you already have an eye condition, make sure that you bring your glasses, contacts, and current prescription.