Stereopsis (Depth Perception) Test

Stereopsis is the term used to describe eye teaming that enables normal depth perception and appreciation of the 3-dimensional nature of objects.

In one commonly used stereopsis test, you wear a pair of "3D" glasses and look at a booklet of test patterns. Each pattern has four small circles, and your task is to point out which circle in each pattern looks closer to you than the other three circles. If you can correctly identify the "closer" circle in each pattern, you likely have excellent eye teaming skills that should enable you to experience normal depth perception.

Retinoscopy

Your eye doctor may perform this test early in the eye exam to obtain an approximation of your eyeglass prescription.

In retinoscopy, the room lights will be dimmed and you will be asked to focus on a large target (usually the big "E" on the eye chart). As you stare at the "E," your eye doctor will shine a light at your eye and flip lenses in a machine in front of your eyes. This test estimates which lens powers will best correct your distance vision.

Optometrists and ophthalmologists use a wide variety of tests and procedures to examine your eyes. These tests range from simple ones, like having you read an eye chart, to complex tests, such as using a high-powered lens to visualize the tiny structures inside of your eyes.

A comprehensive eye exam can take an hour or more, depending on the doctor and the number and complexity of tests required to fully evaluate your vision and the health of your eyes.

Here are eye and vision tests that you are likely to encounter during a comprehensive eye exam:

Visual Acuity Tests

Among the first tests performed in a comprehensive eye exam are visual acuity tests that measure the sharpness of your vision. 

At Sight N' Steps Optometrists Pickering Town Centre, we pride ourselves in ensuring our patients quality care using some of the best diagnostic technology in the industry. Most of our diagnostic equipment is manufactured in Germany by Carl Ziess or TopCon Technoligies. Our pre and post testing includes:

• Auto Refraction Tests
• Auto Lensometry
• Color Vision Tests
• Air Puff Tonometry
• Glaucoma Testing
• Fundus Photography
• Visual Field Screening

Once your pretesting is completed, you will then proceed to the Doctor's office that includes a number of additional tests to ensure your eyes are and remain healthy. 

Halloween is a popular time for people to use colored contact lenses to enhance their costumes. From blood-drenched vampire eyes to glow-in-the-dark lizard lenses, costume contacts can certainly add a spooky, eye-popping touch. But colored contact lenses are popular year-round, not just at Halloween.

But few know the risks associated with these lenses. "Most people believe that decorative lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over-the-counter or on the Internet," says Dr. Samina Khan Lead Optometrist at Sight N' Steps Optometrists Pickering Town Centre. "This is far from the truth."