Eye Exams

The West Seattle Highline Eye Clinic uses various up-to-date tests and procedures to examine your eyes. The tests range from simple eye chart reading to using a high-powered lens to examine the inside of your eyes. Here are some of the most common tests that your doctor may use in order to examine your eyes.

Refraction

This is the test that is used to determine your exact eye prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Depending on the clarity of various lens options, our staff will fine-tune your required prescription power. Refraction determines your level of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

More information about Refractive Errors

Slit-Lamp Examination

The slit lamp is an instrument that allows the doctor to get a highly magnified image of the eye's structures including the lids, cornea, iris and optic nerve. Signs of infection or disease are detected with this exam.

Glaucoma Test

There are many different tests that can be used to evaluate the presence of glaucoma. Their purpose is to detect a degeneration of your optic nerve. Following a drop to numb your eye, the doctor will use an applanation tonometer to determine your eye pressure. Sometimes it is necessary to provide additional testing, including a visual field test, corneal pachymetry or an optic nerve head analysis. Your doctor will let you know if this is required.

Dilation

Dilating drops are drops that your eye doctor puts in your eyes to make the pupils larger. This gives the doctor a better view of the internal structures of the eye. The pupil is like a window to the inside of the eye. Dilating drops usually take about 20 to 30 minutes to start working. While they are working, you will be sensitive to light and may notice a difficulty in focusing on close-up objects. These effects may last for up to several hours. For your convenience, we can provide you with sunglasses.

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