Getting an Accurate Eye Exam With Dry Eye

About a year into my dry eye journey, it was time for my annual eye exam. I remember struggling with that exam and worrying whether my new prescription would be accurate. My concerns were validated. When I received my glasses a few weeks later, the prescription was so far off that it made my head hurt. I couldn’t wear them. I called the eye doctor’s office and they were able to see me again.

Dry eye drops made vision tests inaccurate

This is where having a good relationship with your doctor can be beneficial. My eye doctor told me that, if it was necessary, he would have me come back a few times to make sure I got an accurate exam, explaining that dry eye can cause blurry vision. He was not impatient or annoyed with me. That was a huge relief and something I had not experienced in previous doctor’s offices.

That was the first time I had heard that dry eye could cause blurry vision and it made sense because my vision was indeed blurry at times. The doctor also advised me to not use artificial tears right before my exam because some of them are a thick liquid and can skew the results. I usually loaded up on the artificial tears ahead of my appointments.

My doctor worked with me to get the right prescription

It took three appointments to nail down a prescription that worked for me. Each visit improved the accuracy of what my eyes were actually seeing. When I finally picked up my new glasses, I could actually see and my headaches were gone.

If it wasn’t for my doctor’s willingness to work with me and my dry eyes, a resolution would have been much more difficult due to the fact they had already made my first pair. His willingness to help me also eased my anxiety about having eye appointments. I had been in and out of the eye doctor’s office so much lately due to my dry eye that another eye appointment just might have sent me over the edge, especially since the news was rarely good. My dry eye had not been improving and treatments weren’t working. So, this was a welcomed experience!

More information and less stress meant a better outcome

Stress can cause an array of symptoms, including blurry vision. Add dry eye to that mix and you’ve got some real challenges. The doctor’s attitude contributed to my successful outcome, but doing breathing work before my appointment really helped ease my nervousness and ground me as well. I might have looked silly, sitting there meditating mid-office but my mental health is important and I am okay looking a little silly. My eye exams have become a lot easier since I’ve begun following these tips that were given to me. I have also learned that a little kindness from my doctor goes a long way.