The first step to preserving your vision health is to take a comprehensive eye exam. It consists of different activities that will help gauge different aspects of your eyesight, including visual acuity, ocular motility and depth perception. Eyes On Norbeck, an eyeglasses specialist, discusses the things to expect during a comprehensive eye exam.

Visual Acuity Test

This test measures the clarity or sharpness of vision. Your eye doctor will use a Snellen chart or a card; on these are printed letters and numbers that they hold 20 feet away. Numbers, lines, or pictures, however, are used for people who cannot read, especially children.

Ocular Motility Test

During an ocular motility test, your optometrist will hold your head still and ask you to follow the slow movement of a hand-held light with your eyes. This is performed to determine how well your eyes can follow a moving object. People with eye movement problems may have a hard time reading or experience eye fatigue.

Cover Test

The simplest and most common method to assess how well your eyes work together is through a cover test. During this test, your eye doctor will ask you to focus on a small object across the room while covering each of your eyes alternately.

Slit Lamp Exam

To assess the structures of your eye under high magnification, your eye doctor will use a slit lamp, a binocular microscope. This device can detect different eye problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal ulcers and diabetic retinopathy.

Count on Eyes on Norbeck for your comprehensive eye exam. Our eye doctor will diagnose different eye conditions and suggest treatments to maintain clear vision. Call us today at (301) 241-0553 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve residents of Potomac, MD, and other nearby areas.