By getting a good night's sleep and avoiding spending too much time in front of digital screens, you're helping to prepare your eyes for a satisfying exam experience. Try to postpone a cup of coffee in the morning (or two) before your scheduled eye appointment. Remember to bring your insurance documents, your current glasses and a pair of sunglasses. Completing the preparations before the eye consultation is the best way to ensure that the exam is performed smoothly and efficiently.
Bringing appropriate documentation, recording symptoms, and asking questions before your appointment will help both you and your eye doctor get the most out of your exam. Here are some ways you can prepare for your next eye exam. If you plan to use your insurance, bring a copy of your insurance card as well as your driver's license or other photo identification. To check your coverage on the day of your appointment.
For more information about your vision plan or to check your coverage, contact your local Shopko Optical store. One of our dedicated team members will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Record every time you experience vision problems, such as headaches, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, poor depth perception, etc. In these records, be sure to include the time and frequency of the onset, as well as other relevant information, such as what activities alleviate or worsen these symptoms.
This information will help your optometrist determine the cause of your symptoms. Both over-the-counter and prescription drugs can have side effects that can affect vision. Make a list of all the medications and supplements you're taking, as well as their doses, to take to the appointment. This will help your optometrist assess the risk they may have to your eyes, as well as determine how other eye medications can be implemented.
Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, are inherited. Before your appointment, ask your parents, siblings, and grandparents if they currently have or have had any eye conditions in the past. This information will help your optometrist assess your risk of developing these eye diseases and develop a treatment plan accordingly. Evaluating your current glasses will help your eye doctor evaluate how your current prescription works and will allow you to make the necessary adjustments if necessary.
Be sure to write down any questions you may have so you don't forget to ask your optometrist during your consultation. Your Shopko Optical optometrist will be happy to address any concerns you may have to ensure that you fully understand your eye health, diagnosis, and treatment plan. If you want to update your frames, you can check out our selection online to get an idea of the styles that interest you before your visit. With the heart function, you can add your favorites to your wish list, which you can then print and take to your appointment as a reference.
Simple preparation before the eye exam, such as writing down symptoms, medications and family eye history, will ensure that you don't forget anything during your appointment and that your Shopko Optical optometrist can address any vision problems you may have. Wear all the eyeglasses you have been wearing since your last exam. Your optometrist will compare your new prescription with the one you've been using and tell you if they're the best prescription for you. If you wear contact lenses, you may be asked to remove them at some point during the exam, so be prepared and bring your case and solutions with you as well.
A clinical assistant or technician can perform part of the exam, such as analyzing the medical history and performing the initial eye test. If your eye pressure is above average or if your optic nerve looks unusual, your doctor may use a caliper, which uses sound waves to measure the thickness of the cornea. Using the slit lamp, the doctor moves the tonometer to touch the cornea and determine eye pressure. Which specialist you choose may be a matter of preference or will depend on the nature of your eye problem.
If your eyes are dilated during the exam, sunlight or other bright lights may cause discomfort or blurred vision. If the eye exam shows other abnormal results, your doctor will discuss next steps with you to perform further tests or treat an underlying condition. Based on your answers to one or more of these tests, your eye doctor determines the fullness of your field of vision. The doctor may use a dye, usually fluorescein, to color the tear film that covers the eye.
Having a clear family history can be very helpful in diagnosing and managing any eye condition. For your optometrist to be able to provide you with optimal care, you should be aware of all the medications, supplements, and eye drops you're currently using, not just those that are directly related to your eyes. There's no secret way to pass an eye exam, but if you do everything you can and follow these tips on what not to do before an eye exam, your results should be reliable. Optometrists work as part of your general health team and, with your consent, may want to tell your family doctor the results of your eye exam or ask for more information to help you with your eye care plan.
If you can't see in certain areas, looking at the pattern of visual field loss can help your eye doctor diagnose your eye condition. Depending on your age and the province where you live, you may receive some coverage for your eye exam through the provincial health system, so bring this card just in case. .
