Eye Exams
If you're having trouble with your vision, your mom or dad can take you for an
eye exam. This might happen as part of your regular checkup with the doctor.
But you need to see a vision specialist if your parents or your doctor think you
might need glasses. You might see an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or an optician.
What's the difference?
- An ophthalmologist
is a medical doctor trained to treat vision problems; this includes prescribing eyeglasses
and contact lenses, but also doing eye surgery for other eye-related problems.
- An optometrist
is a licensed professional who specializes in eye exams and in figuring out the right
prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
- An optician
makes or sells eyeglasses and contact lenses according to an ophthalmologist's or
optometrist's prescription.
At your eye exam, you'll be asked to read from an eye chart. This is the chart
with letters or numbers in different sizes. You also might be asked to look at
some text up close, like reading from a book. These tests measure how well you see
from close and from far away.
If you need glasses or contact lenses, there's a special gizmo that lets you try
a few different prescriptions until you find the one that gives you the clearest vision.
It's kind of like a big pair of glasses, but a bunch of different lenses can be switched
in and out really quickly. The person doing your eye exam will switch between two
different lenses and say, "Do you like this one or that one?" You say which one looks
clearest. There is no right answer — just what is best for you. Remember, the
idea is that you get the correct prescription so your vision will be top-notch!
The Fun Part
If you're going to get glasses, it's time to pick frames. It can be fun to try
these on. Choose ones that are comfortable and sturdy. But also make sure you like
them — you'll be wearing them a lot!
The lenses themselves can be made of different materials, such as safety glass
or shatterproof plastic (polycarbonate). Because glass tends to be heavy and it may
shatter, most glasses today are made of polycarbonate plastic. If you play sports,
you may want to ask about special eyewear you can wear on the field.
With glasses, you'll also want to find out how to clean them properly. And it helps
if you have a glasses case and put them in it when you're not wearing them. The last
thing you want is to sit on your new glasses. Crunch!
If you're going to get contact lenses, you'll get some
advice from the ophthalmologist or optometrist about which kind will be best for you.
Some are disposable and others need to be cleaned. When you learn which type you're
going to get, you can start becoming an expert in how to wear them safely and keeping
them clean. The most important thing about contact lenses is good hygiene to prevent
infections in your eye.
But the really fun part of new glasses or contact lenses is how well you can see.
They can make your whole world look better!
Date reviewed: January 2017