Ophthalmologist in Los Angeles

These Tests Help Determine the Health of Your Eyes

November 22, 2021

Your eyes are delicate and complicated organs. They detect light and send signals along the optic nerve to the brain. Each eye is made up of several parts, with each part contributing to your ability to see. That’s why it’s important that an ophthalmologist perform a thorough evaluation. 

At the office of The Retina Partners, the wellbeing of your eyes is as important to our ophthalmology team as it is to you. We appreciate that our eyes are our windows to the world. In addition to our high-quality, comprehensive care, we also have a welcoming, patient-focused environment in which everyone who comes in will feel at ease.

Here are some tests ophthalmologists perform to evaluate their patients’ vision.

Refraction: This common and basic analysis uses a phoropter (an instrument that tests individual lenses on each eye) to determine eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions. The doctor puts lenses of a variety of strengths in front of each eye to find out which strength suits it best. 

Visual field test: You put your chin in on a resting platform and continuously stare at the center point of a screen that resembles a computer game. Every time a tiny light appears anywhere on the screen, you press a hand-held button. The results measure your peripheral vision. 

Applanation tonometry: It gauges how much pressure is needed to flatten a part of your cornea. The results diagnose and monitor glaucoma. 

Retinal tomography: A computer gives a remarkable in-depth image of the retina and all of its layers. The test is implemented if you have a significant retina condition, such as a detachment or macular degeneration. 

Corneal topography: It uses a computer to map a cornea’s curve. It lets the doctor conclude if the surface of your eye has issues such as swelling, scarring, astigmatism or keratoconus (when the clear tissue on the cornea has a bulge)

Slit-lamp exam: The ophthalmologist utilizes a microscope to shine a slit-shaped beam of light into your eye. The doctor may dilate your pupils first. It can help identify glaucoma, cataracts, a detached retina and macular degeneration. 


The Retina Partners’s team is made up of board-certified ophthalmologists who are eager to help you feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving the very best in care. We’ve earned the trust of all of our patients and look forward to earning yours. For more information about how we can help you, please call us to schedule an appointment.

The Retina Partners | Macular Degeneration, Pneumatic Retinopexy and Intraocular Gases and Oil

Our Services

Learn More

First Visit

Learn More

Request an Appointment

Start Today