Exams and Tests

As with any medical condition, the history is very important. How the injury occurred will often help the ophthalmologist focus the examination. Your vision will be checked, so bring your glasses to the office visit. The ophthalmologist is interested in your best vision possible.

• To check for injuries to the cornea, the ophthalmologist uses a special dye or stain in your eye, called fluorescein, which stains those areas of the cornea that have been damaged. When a blue light is shone over the eye, corneal abrasions turn green.

• A device called a slit lamp is often used as well. A slit lamp is essentially a special microscope to look more closely at your eye.

• X-rays are rarely used, except if an intraocular or intraorbital foreign body is suspected. Corneal foreign bodies do not require x-rays.