Our Doctors of Optometry are dedicated to providing comprehensive eye exams that are an important part of preventative health care. A comprehensive eye exam can detect common eye diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. It may also detect systemic health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and more.

“WHAT CAN I EXPECT?”

• An Optometric Assistant will begin your exam with Auto-refraction (an estimate of the prescription and curvature of your eye) and Tonometry (a measurment of the pressure inside the eye).
• A through patient history will be collected to determine your vision needs, medical health history, and family history.
• A Visual Acuity measurement will determine how well each eye can see.
• A Refraction will determine your eyeglass prescription, if necessary, and the focusing power of the eye. Your Binocular Vision (how well the eyes work together) will also be evaluated.
• The health of the outside of the eye and the inside of the eye will be assessed.
• The Doctor may recommend a dilated eye exam. When the eyes are dilated, a medicated eye drop is used to make the pupil bigger and allows the Doctor to have a better view inside the eye. The effects of the eye drop will cause you to be light sensitive and have mild visual blur for 2-4 hours after the exam. If you have not been dilated before, you may want someone to drive for you and to bring along your sunglasses!
• Depending on the findings during the exam, your Doctor may recommend special testing such as Visual Field Analysis, Retinal Photography, and/or Optical Coherence Tomography.
• Your Doctor of Optometry will make a recommendation for continued eye care based on the findings of the exam. If a referral to another health care professional is needed for ongoing or co-managed care, it will be arranged for you.

“HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET AN EYE EXAM?”

Many eye diseases develop without obvious symptoms. Some eye diseases, such as Glaucoma, do not have any visual symptoms until very late in the disease when vision loss is profound and permanent. A comprehensive eye exam can detect risks for eye disease early and prevent vision loss.

• Infants and Toddlers (Birth to 24 months): First eye exam recommended between the ages of 6 and 9 months
• Preschool Children (2 to 5 years): At least one eye exam between the ages of 2 and 5 years.
• School Age Children (6 to 18 years): One eye exam annually
• Adults (19 to 64 years): One eye exam every one to two years.
• Adults (65 years or older): One eye exam annually
• Contact Lens Patients: At least one eye exam annually

Your Doctor of Optometry will assist you in determining how often you should be seen for an Eye Exam. A recommended follow-up schedule will be determined based on your personal and family health history and your individual risk for eye disease and vision loss.