Comprehensive Eye Exam

Refraction
This test will help determine whether or not you need corrective lenses. When an eyeball is too short or too long, or the cornea has too much or too little curvature, it results in light not being in perfect focus on the retina, causing blurry vision. Measurements taken of the eye give doctors a starting point for your prescription, but vision also involves your brain and perception. This means your input is incredibly important when asked if option “one or two” is better, and helps determine the best prescription for you.

Eye pressure
This test typically involves a yellow-green eye drop and a blue light. The measure of intraocular pressure helps determine if you are at an increased risk for developing glaucoma.

Anterior ocular health
A special microscope that allows for evaluation of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, tear film, iris, lens, and anterior chamber. This instrument allows us to look for signs of dry eye, allergies, blepharitis, cataracts, and more.

Dilation
Dilating drops increase the size of the pupil and allow our doctors to evaluate the health of your retina and optic nerve. Without dilation, only a limited portion of the retina can be seen. The eye drops will temporarily make you more light-sensitive and affect your focusing system for a few hours. Please prepare to arrange transportation for your appointment if you are concerned about driving after dilation.

Posterior ocular health
A thorough examination of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels can help detect diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and more.

Recommended Frequency of Eye exams

While the recommended frequency of eye exams varies for each patient and your unique conditions, here are a few general guidelines that can be followed:

• ​​​​​​​Bring your child for a comprehensive eye examination before starting kindergarten to make sure his or her eyes are ready for all the learning opportunities they are about to encounter.

• Every 1-2 years throughout school age, while children are growing so are their eyes and this can cause changes to their prescription.

• Adults from age 18 to 60 years old, every 1-2 years.

• Annual eye exams are best after age 60 as many eye conditions have a higher incidence with increased age such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These conditions will need to be monitored.

• Contact lens wearers need annual eye exams to ensure the contact lens is allowing enough oxygen to their cornea, not causing any irritation to the ocular surface, and to ensure proper care of your contact lens to minimize your risk for infection.

• If you’re a diabetic, should also receive annual eye exams, sometimes they may need to be seen more frequently depending on the severity of their condition and how it affects your vision.

Always follow the recommendations of your eye care professional. Click Here for more information regarding the frequency of eye exams.