Eye Care & Surgery

Eye Care at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham 

Sight is one of your most important senses. After all, sight plays a major role in how we absorb information. It helps us connect with our surroundings and keeps us safe from harm. If you’re suddenly not seeing things as clearly as you used to, the eye specialists at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham are here to help.

When to See an Ophthalmologist

Adults with a low risk of eye or vision problems should generally receive an eye exam at least every two years. If you have a high risk of eye problems, you might need an exam at least annually, or as recommended by your doctor. You should request an appointment sooner if you have the following symptoms:

• Pain or signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or discharge
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Vision changes, such as flashes of light or halos around lights
• Seeing shadows, black spots or blurry faces or objects

What to Expect During and After an Eye Exam

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision conditions can help prevent vision loss. According to the National Eye Institute, a dilated eye exam is the only way to check for eye diseases early. The exam is simple and painless. It includes:

• Dilation to check the inner parts of your eyes for any problems.
• A visual acuity test to check how clearly you can see.
• A visual field test to check your side (peripheral) vision.
• An eye muscle function test to check for any issues with the muscles around your eyeballs.
• A pupil response test to check how light enters your eyes.
• A tonometry (puff) test to measure the pressure in your eyes.

Your vision may be blurry for a couple of hours after the exam. You may also have some sensitivity to light. For safety reasons, you may need a friend or family member to drive you home.

Depending on the results of your eye exam, your doctor may need to run additional tests to rule out possible eye problems or clarify uncertain findings. Your doctor may also make a referral for a consultation with another doctor.