Eye exam

[T123]

Can anyone tell me who has been to one already I've actually never had an eye exam before and I'm nervous and I don't know what their going to do can comeone tell me

[Tay171]

They shine some light in your eye and it's not bad at all . Allows them to look into the back of it . Read some things . Don't worry

[Jeff1943]

T123, an eye examination is no big deal, they'll check your vision on an eyesight chart, painless, they'll shine a light into your eyes and then check the back of your eyes using an opthalmoscope, painless, then they'll put drops in your eyes and use a special device called a tonometer to check your eye pressure, you won't feel a thing, all over in minutes.

In the UK pressures up to 20 are normal, over that you might need drops to keep the pressure down to avoid long term pressure causing damage to the back of your eye called glaucoma, but it's not likely you're going to have high eye pressure, your headaches and feeling of pressure behind the eye are probably nothing to do with your eyes.

Some years ago the eye pressure in one eye went up to 50 units, there was no pain but I knew something was wrong because the vision went misty and the eye slightly red. But there was no pain. They used 2 or 3 different drops and brought it down immediately to under 20. Now I put one drop in one eye every morning and the pressure is 15.

So the examination is absolutely nothing to worry about, it's highly unlikely to be high ocular pressure causing glaucoma (it happened to me because I'd injured that eye as a child) and if by some chance it is a bit high it's easily controlled by drops but glaucoma only usually happens to old people.

If you really want to impress the examiner ask him: "Do you think I've got thick corneas because that could give a false high reading for eye pressure?" They'll be highly impressed you knew that. "How do you know that?" they'll ask. You reply: "Oh, everyone knows that!"

So stop worrying, your headaches and pains are no doubt due to anxiety (that's why you're posting on the anxiety forum) and nothing to do with glaucoma.

[T123 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you so much

[skyraknight]

Relax. Brushing teeth is actually more difficult

[foxglove]

I was the same but found if you tell eye doc. of your nerves they are very understanding

[Pete87]

Hi there,

I have worn glasses since I was 18 months old and have had 2 major eye surgeries when I was you to correct a stigmatism. The result was a great success but I needed to wear glasses my whole life.

Because of this I have been going to optometrists a couple times a year for my whole life and honestly there is nothing to worry about. Just like going and sitting with your doctor and having a chat. They will ask you to look at a few things maybe close one eye and then the other. Put I light over your eyes and occasionally blow some air onto your eyes for a pressure reading.

Some of this can be at best mildly uncomfortable bit in no way painful or stressful. Relax explain your situation and you will find it will be fine.