Aug 28, 2025

Understanding Your Ophthalmology Visit

Fighting Blindness Canada spoke with Godfrey Wong, a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist and member of the allied ophthalmic personnel team. Godfrey is often one of the first professionals patients meet during an eye exam, guiding them through diagnostic testing, and counseling on pre- and post-surgical care. He also answers questions through FBC’s Health Information Line.

In this interview, Godfrey explains what patients can expect during a typical ophthalmology visit—from the most common reasons for referrals, to the diagnostic tests performed, and how patients can prepare to get the most out of their appointment.

What are the usual reasons people come in for a visit?

Ophthalmologists are eye specialists and surgeons. Some ophthalmologists focus on one specialty, for example retina, glaucoma, cornea, or neuroophthalmology. They can address many eye diseases including inherited retinal dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration. Patients are also referred by a primary care doctor after complaints of flashing lights and floaters, blurry and distorted vision, sudden vision loss, or pain.

When a patient comes in for an appointment, what are the most common tests performed? What information do these tests give you about the patient’s vision?

When patients visit an ophthalmologist, several common tests are used to check different aspects of their eye health. Each test provides important information about how the eyes are working and helps the doctor decide on the best care.

Visual acuity: This test checks how clearly a person can see. Using an eye chart, the patient’s vision is the smallest line of letters or symbols they can correctly read. Both distance and near vision are tested, usually one eye at a time. Vision is checked with the patient’s own glasses or with a phoropter, a tool used to measure prescriptions.

• Tonometry: This measures the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). Eye pressure is kept stable by a fluid called aqueous. There are different ways to measure IOP, including applanation, rebound, and the “air puff” test. While there is a normal pressure range, each person has their own ideal “target” pressure. If IOP is too high, it can damage the optic nerve to cause loss of side vision and glaucoma. If it is too low, it may mean problems with aqueous production or drainage.
• Perimetry (visual field test): This checks the full area a person can see while looking straight ahead. Each eye is tested separately. Patients press a button when they see a light inside the machine. The test looks for blind spots or areas of vision loss, which may be caused by glaucoma, stroke, brain tumors, inherited retinal diseases, or certain medications.
• Photography: Pictures are taken to document how the eye looks during the exam. They can be of the outside or inside of the eye, most often the retina. Special filters or dyes can make details clearer. For example, fluorescein angiography uses a dye injected into a vein to show blood flow in the retina and detect problems in blood vessels.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): OCT takes detailed cross-section images of eye structures. When used on the retina, it shows areas that are thickened, thinned, or filled with fluid. It can also scan the optic nerve to check for thinning in glaucoma or swelling from tumors or brain pressure. OCT can also scan the front of the eye to look at fluid drainage areas, iris thickness, and corneal layers.
• Biometry: This measures the length and shape of the eye, and is essential before cataract or refractive surgery. Ultrasound biometry can measure through dense cataracts, while optical biometry (using light) is more accurate. More exact measurements help ensure better results after surgery.
• Keratometry and corneal topography: These tests measure the shape and curve of the cornea (the clear front of the eye). They are used for planning cataract and refractive surgery, and to diagnose or monitor corneal conditions such as keratoconus, which causes the cornea to thin and steepen.

How long does it take for results to be received by a patient after a visit?

Most tests results are available to the ophthalmologist the same day there are completed. Some specialty tests that your ophthalmologist may not have in their clinic (e.g. fluorescein angiography, ultrasound, and electrophysiology) will need to be referred to a hospital or a different clinic. It may take a couple days to weeks before these results are sent back to the ophthalmologist.

After getting testing done, what’s the next step for patients?

Once tests are completed, the ophthalmologist will have all the necessary information for the eye examination. If the next step is surgery, the surgical coordinator will provide the patient with the details of how to proceed. Sometimes, eye diseases need to be co-managed with other medical specialties (e.g. neurology, rheumatology, and medical genetics) and will require additional testing. For instance, if an inherited retinal disease is suspected, a referral to a genetic counsellor and genetic testing may be sent.

How can people make sure all their concerns are addressed at the ophthalmologist’s office?
Given the limited time doctors have with each patient, it’s important for patients to be prepared for their appointment. If it’s the first visit, bringing a list of current medications (i.e. prescriptions, supplements, and eye drops), and relevant medical and surgical history, is highly recommended. Patients should also keep a record of any changes they’ve noticed in their eyes or vision, along with any questions they wish to ask. This can be noted in a notebook or on a phone and brought to the visit. It will serve as both a reminder and as a place to document answers for future reference, helping avoid repeated questions. A list of commonly asked questions can be found here.

Since dilation often causes light sensitivity and blurry vision, writing during the appointment may be difficult. Bringing a companion can be helpful, as this person can assist with recording important information, as well as remembering concerns and asking questions.

Have a question about your eye health? You can reach Godfrey and our Health Information Line at healthinfo@fightingblindness.ca or 1.888.626.2995