Home Patients & Public What to expect at an eye exam
What to expect at an eye exam
Same-day care
New wavy lines, a sudden blur, or a blank spot in your central vision need same-day care.
Call an eye doctor or go to the emergency department the same day.
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A comprehensive dilated eye exam is how doctors look for AMD, even when you have no symptoms. NEI describes the exam as simple and painless: your doctor places drops in your eyes to widen (dilate) the pupil, then examines the retina and macula.
Dilation can make lights seem bright and reading up close harder for a few hours. It is a good idea to bring sunglasses and, if you are sensitive to blur, a driver.
Imaging you may have
Your doctor may recommend optical coherence tomography (OCT). NEI describes OCT as a way to take pictures of the inside of the eye with a special machine. You typically rest your chin and forehead, look at a target, and sit still while the scan is taken. There is no contact with the eye for a standard OCT.
Your doctor may also take photographs of the retina, sometimes including autofluorescence photos, or recommend other tests if there is a question of wet AMD (for example, a dye test called fluorescein angiography, which AAO describes). You will be told ahead of time if a test involves a dye or injection.
Talking about next steps
After the exam, ask what type of AMD you have, if any; whether images should be repeated, and when; and whether lifestyle steps or supplements are recommended for your stage of disease. If you want to talk about light therapy, say so. Candidacy for Valeda is decided after an exam, not from this website. See Who it’s for.
Book an exam
You can choose your office and book an exam online, or call Hazleton Eye Specialists at 570-453-2020.
Sources
- National Eye Institute. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Understanding Macular Degeneration.
Medical disclaimer. This page is for general education only. It is not medical advice and does not replace an examination or a conversation with your own doctors. Do not start, stop, or change any medicine or treatment without talking to the clinician who cares for you. If you notice new wavy lines, a sudden blur, or a blank spot in your central vision, seek same-day care from an eye doctor or an emergency department.