Why do I need to get regular eye exams?
You may not think of comprehensive eye exams as necessary if you don’t wear glasses or you haven’t experienced any changes in your vision lately. However, eye exams are about more than just testing your vision. They’re crucial to your eye health and overall health.
During comprehensive eye exams, Dr. Lai tests you for refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and writes a corrective lens prescription.
He also detects problems with your eye health, which can affect you regardless of how clearly you see.
Many eye health problems that lead to vision loss, like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, only cause noticeable symptoms after they’ve already caused vision damage.
Often, there’s no way to reverse this damage. Regular eye exams allow Dr. Lai to detect and treat eye diseases before they become serious.
What happens during a comprehensive eye exam?
Eye exams involve a series of tests. These tests focus on different aspects of your vision and eye health and include:
Eye muscle test
Dr. Lai has you follow a small object across the room to determine how well your eyes move.
Visual acuity test
You identify letters on a chart or screen that get progressively smaller. This determines how sharp your vision is, which is expressed in a measurement such as 20/20.
Refraction assessment
Dr. Lai determines if you have a refractive error, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, as well as the prescription lens strength you need.
Slit lamp test
Using a specialized microscope called a slit lamp, Dr. Lai examines the front part of your eyes, including the eyelids, eyelashes, corneas, irises, and lenses.
Glaucoma test
Dr. Lai measures your eye pressure, a risk factor for glaucoma.
Pupil dilation
Dr. Lai dilates, or enlarges, your pupils using eye drops. He then examines the structures inside your eyes, including your retinas.
In addition to these tests, Dr. Lai takes a full medical history. If you have certain conditions, like diabetes, he may conduct additional tests. He also asks if you’re experiencing any eye or vision problems or answers any questions you may have.
Dr. Lai is happy to perform required eye exams for driver’s tests, government employment, and more.
How do I prepare for an eye exam?
To prepare for your eye exam, write down any eye problems you’re experiencing or have had in the past, along with your family’s eye health history.
Also have handy a list of your medications, including any over-the-counter medicine and supplements you take regularly. It can be difficult to remember to mention everything off the top of your head during the exam.
When Dr. Lai dilates your pupils, they stay that way for a few hours after the exam. Expect to be more sensitive to light and to have difficulty reading. Bring sunglasses to wear afterward and arrange to have someone drive you home if you’re not comfortable driving yourself.
To schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Rosemead Eye Center, call or use the online booking tool.
