15 Types of Eye Tests That Are Part of Maintaining Healthy Vision

One of the first steps toward good eye care and healthy eyes is an eye exam.¹ This exam involves a series of important vision tests — from a simple visual acuity test to a pupil dilation exam.² If anything abnormal is detected, you might then be referred to a more advanced, intensive eye test.

What Is an Eye Exam or Vision Test?

An eye exam is a group of vision tests that a doctor uses to examine the health of your eyes.² Eye exams can be a lifesaver, in that serious vision problems like cataracts and macular degeneration may be detected and can then be treated in the early stages.² In short, a comprehensive eye exam is less about your eyeglass or contact lens prescription and more about your health.³

Vision tests are just some of the basic parts of an eye examination. During a typical eye exam, you'll also discuss any recent vision changes you may have noticed. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand something during your appointment. Then, make sure to continue scheduling routine eye exams for optimal vision and healthy eyes.²

While there are many tests that are part of routine eye exams, there are also some more advanced tests you may need to undergo, depending on any issues your doctor may detect. This guide will walk you through both the routine eye exam tests you can expect to have and the more advanced tests that may be recommended.

9 Routine Eye Exam Tests

Below are nine types of eye tests that are usually part of a routine eye exam. Each 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.¹

2. Visual refraction eye test

A refraction assessment helps your eye doctor 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.¹

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.¹

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.²

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.⁴ The test helps your eye doctor detect glaucoma, a disease that causes pressure to build up inside your eyes and can cause blindness.⁴ 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.⁴

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.²

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.¹

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.⁶

9. Pupil dilation exam

As part of a routine eye exam, you may be asked to do a pupil dilation test.⁷ This test is also called an ophthalmoscopic exam or fundoscopy.⁸ Your doctor will put special eye drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils so they can better see your optic nerve and retina.⁷ 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.⁷ Your doctor will use an ophthalmoscope to shine a light into your eye that helps illuminate your retina.⁸ This test helps identify conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal tears, among others.⁷

6 Advanced Eye Exam Tests

You may also need one of these six more advanced eye exam tests if your doctor thinks you could have a more serious eye issue.

1. Advanced glaucoma tests

If an air-puff test finds that you have increased intraocular pressure, then you may need more advanced glaucoma screening. With applanation tonometry (also called Goldmann tonometry), a small probe will gently flatten your cornea. The amount of pressure needed to flatten your cornea determines the pressure in your eye. A slit lamp will also be used to look inside your eye.⁴

Another commonly used glaucoma test is called electronic tonometry, which involves placing a rounded pen-like tool onto your cornea to electronically read the pressure.⁴

Both tests use numbing eyedrops on your eye. High-pressure values may indicate the need for treatment or regular follow-ups.⁴

2. Fluorescein angiography

A fluorescein angiography is used to diagnose conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. Fluorescein dye, which is injected into your arm, helps your doctor track how blood moves in your retina. A special camera takes pictures that help highlight any issues that need treating.⁹

A similar test is called optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). This test also takes pictures of blood vessels in your retina, but it doesn't use a dye and tends to be faster.¹⁰

3. Heidelberg retinal tomography

Heidelberg retinal tomography uses a specialized laser to take 3D images of multiple layers of your optic nerve and retina. The layered images are put together to form a 3D image of your optic nerve, helping doctors look for damage from conditions like glaucoma. Changes can also be measured over time.¹¹

4. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

OCT uses light waves to take multiple pictures of layers of your retina, helping your doctor map your retina's thickness and look for damage. Dilating eye drops might be used. You'll rest your head on the machine while it scans your eye for about five to 10 minutes. This exam can help diagnose conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye issues, abnormal blood vessels and optic nerve damage.¹⁰

5. Fundus photography

Like OCT, fundus photography is another type of retinal imaging that takes photos of your eye's interior. It can help detect conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other causes of preventable blindness. It's noninvasive and takes just a few minutes.¹²

6. Ultrasound

There are two types of ultrasound scans, called A-scan and B-scan. For the A-scan, you'll either have a probe put in front of your eye while you're sitting up, or a fluid-filled cup put against your eye while you're lying down. For a B-scan, you'll close your eyes, a thin gel will be put on your eyelids and a probe will be gently used on your eyelids.¹³

A-scans can be used to prepare for cataract surgery to make sure you're getting the right kind of lens. B-scans help see into the back of your eye, looking for tumors or other issues.¹³

Why You Need an Eye Exam

Many adults, especially those in their 30s and 40s, forgo vision tests because they think they don't need them. But eye exams can help you get out in front of blindness-causing conditions like glaucoma, where early diagnosis and treatment can slow vision loss.⁵ Eye tests can help keep your eyes healthy by assessing:²

• How clearly you see
• If one eye has better vision than the other
• If you have astigmatism or color blindness
• Your peripheral vision
• Whether you have a condition that needs treatment (such as glaucoma, cataracts or macular degeneration)

In addition to strictly vision-related conditions, eye tests can also help doctors identify other conditions, such as:³

• Aneurysms
• Brain tumors
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Lupus
• Lyme disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Stroke

Eye tests are an important part of taking care of your eyes. While many people will only need routine tests as part of their regular eye exams, some will need advanced tests if more serious conditions are suspected. It's important not to delay these exams, since early detection can often help with a better prognosis.

Financing Eye Exams With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular eye exams are an important part of your eye health. Whether you're getting an eye exam or paying for eye surgery, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.