For most of the last century, testing vision meant giving the patient the choice between two lenses, the old “which is better one or two”.
At Alameda Eyes, we have moved into the new century with a large investment in equipment to measure your vision. First an auto refractor captures an objective measurement of your vision using infrared light and no work on your part. In addition it captures the surface shape of you eye, called corneal topography. Corneal topography is part of an accurate contact lens fit. One of our optometric technicians measures your current glasses using an automated lens meter. This data is automatically downloaded to the Topcon CV 5000, which allows me to test your vision without saying the words, which is better one or two, well most of the time anyway. The new testing technique allows the patient to see both choices simultaneously. This increases accuracy because you are deciding which prescription would be best while looking at both choices, at the same instant, through the same tear film, during the same blink. No more trying to remember what “one” looked like.
This may not sound like much but at the end of the testing all I have to do is push a button to show you the difference between your old glasses and your new prescription. Most people like what they see. It’s quick and easy… Who knows, we might even say which is better one or two, just for old times sake.
