Types of Routine Eye Exams Essential to Maintaining Eye Health

Eye tests are a natural part of maintaining healthy vision. Here's a look at nine tests that are frequently included as part of a routine eye exam, and six advanced tests you may need to help catch more serious vision issues.

Below are nine types of eye tests that are usually part of routine eye exams. This test evaluates a different aspect of your vision and eye health.

1. Visual acuity test

This is the "eye chart" test you may be most familiar with. You'll be asked to identify a series of letters printed on a chart.1 The lines of type get smaller as you move down the chart.2 You cover one eye and read aloud, then cover the other eye and read aloud.

2. Visual refraction eye test

A refraction assessment helps Dr. Varghese determine if you need vision correction, as well as the corrective lens prescription that will help give you the sharpest, clearest vision. You will view an eye chart through a special device called a phoropter, which has many different lenses. This will help your doctor determine what prescription you might need.

3. Visual field test

This checks your peripheral vision, or your ability to see objects on the sides of your field of vision. There are a few different types of visual field tests. One of the most common is an automated perimetry test. This uses a computer program that flashes small lights as you look straight onto a screen. You may be asked to press a button when you see the lights.

4. Slit-lamp exam

A slit lamp is a microscope that uses intense light to enhance the view of your eye so your doctor can examine your cornea, iris, sclera, eyelids and conjunctiva.

5. Air-puff test (non-contact tonometry)

Most eye exams will include a simple air-puff tonometry test that measures the pressure inside your eye, referred to as intraocular pressure. The test helps your eye doctor detect glaucoma- a disease that causes pressure to build up inside your eyes and can cause blindness. Glaucoma can be treated if it's caught early.5

With non-contact tonometry, a device called a tonometer injects a puff of air into your eye to test the pressure.5 This isn't as accurate as other glaucoma tests, so it may be used as a simple screening to know if more advanced tests (described in the Advanced Eye Exam Tests section below) are needed.

6. Color blind test

This test screens for color blindness by examining your ability to distinguish colors. You might be asked to identify numbers hidden on cards covered in multicolored dots.

7. Retinoscopy

You may be prompted to stare at a large target through the phoropter while your eye-care provider shines a light in your eyes and flips through a series of lenses. This test can help determine if you need vision correction like eyeglasses or contact lenses.

8. Corneal topography

Corneal topography helps map your cornea's surface using specialized photography. You'll stare at a target within a lighted bowl while a camera takes pictures in just a few seconds. This can help identify issues like astigmatism, growths or scarring. It can also help with fitting for contact lenses.

9. Pupil dilation exam

As part of a routine eye exam, you may be asked to do a pupil dilation test. This test is also called an ophthalmoscopic exam or fundoscopy. Your doctor will put special eye drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils so they can better see your optic nerve and retina. You'll be asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes for the solution to take effect, and it will take about four to six hours for your pupils to return to normal. Your doctor will use an ophthalmoscope to shine a light into your eye that helps illuminate your retina. This test helps identify conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal tears, among others.