What to Expect at Your Eye Exam

Triangle Ophthalmology, PA eye doctors pride themselves on a thorough comprehensive eye examination. One can expect to spend between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the individual patients needs.

First, we will discuss the reason for your visit and obtain background information on your health.  Next, we will begin the examination by checking your central vision, peripheral vision, pupils and eye movements.  The staff  or the physician will also check your glasses and refine the prescription.

Your physician will verify your eye glasses prescription and then proceed with a thorough examination of the front and back of the eye.  A microscope called a slit lamp is used to visualize the anterior portion of the eye including lids, lashes, conjunctiva, and cornea.  To assess the health of and provide the best view of the posterior aspect of the eye, drops must be used to dilate the pupils.  (The drops for adults usually last 2-4 hours and can affect near vision.)  Dilation is necessary to look for any disease in the lens, optic nerve, retina, and blood vessels.

If you wear contact lens, your ocular health as it pertains to contact use will also be evaluated as well as the contact prescription.

Sometimes your doctor may need to request additional testing depending on what is found on the examination.