What can you expect from your first eye exam at Eye Hope Clinic?

The first visit to the ophthalmologist is a comprehensive evaluation that will take about one and a half hours. Your visit may take longer if you need specialized testing or have complex eye problems.

Things that would be helpful to bring include your medication list, a driver, and any insurance information and cards.  If you have had previous eye surgeries, please attempt to bring prior records.

If you require contact lenses, please make a specialized contact lens appointment.

Your evaluation will begin with an in-depth medical history that will include any previous ophthalmic history and a medical review. Your medical history and current medication forms will need to be filled out prior to your examination.

Visual acuity will be tested by determining the smallest letters you can read on a standardized eye chart. Each eye will be tested individually to determine your best vision at distance and near.

Pupil response to light will be examined to see if the light is being appropriately transmitted to your brain.

Peripheral (side) vision will be checked to see if you are missing parts of your visual field from diseases like glaucoma or strokes.

A slit lamp microscope examination will be performed to look at health of the anterior segment of the eye, which includes your cornea.

Intraocular pressure will be checked to see if your eye pressures are at a normal level.

All new exams normally include a dilated eye exam of both eyes. This important part of the exam will allow the doctor to look at the inside and back of the eyes and check the health of your lens, retina and optic nerve. You may want to bring a driver with you as some people find it difficult to drive after being dilated.

Others tests may also be performed on an as needed basis, depending on what the preceding parts of your examination have revealed. These include formal visual field testing, photography, high resolution scans of the back of the eye, pachymetry to check your corneal thickness, and ophthalmic ultrasound.

After the examination, your ophthalmologist will discuss the results of the exam with you and answer any questions you might have!