Slit lamp examination
During a slit lamp eye exam, an eye doctor uses a microscope called a slilt lamp to examine your eyes.
Position
You sit in a chair with your chin and forehead supported to keep your head steady.
Eye drops
The doctor may put eye drops in your eyes to make your tears easier to see or to dilate your pupils. The dilating drops can make your eyes sting and taste like medicine. Your vision will be blurry and your eyes will be sensitive to light for several hours. You should not drive after your exam unless your doctor says it’s okay.
Dye
The doctor may add a yellow dye (fluorescein) to your eye to make it easier to see the cornea and tear layer. The dye rinses out when you blink.
Examination
The doctor uses the slit lamp to examine the front and back of your eye:
Front of the eye: The doctor examines the cornea, iris, lens, conjunctiva, and sclera.
Back of the eye: The doctor uses a different lens to examine the retina, optic nerve, and drainage angle.