The key to a healthy vision is to take care of your eyes, which is why comprehensive eye exams are essential. And the great news is you don’t have to search for “places to get eye exams near you.” You can just visit Golden Eye Optometry. It’s that easy.
Find out how a comprehensive exam can help you feel more confident in your vision health. Schedule your appointment today. Or scroll down to learn more about what is included in a Golden Eye Optometry comprehensive exam.
What is a comprehensive eye exam?
Contrary to a vision screening, which identifies minor eye issues, an eye exam is a comprehensive assessment of your ocular health and visual acuity. Throughout the exam, the Independent Doctor of Optometry may inquire about your family medical history, vision concerns, and lifestyle choices that may impact your sight.
After discussing your eye health and, when required, dilating your pupils with eye drops, the optometrist will perform standard tests to assess the quality of your vision. Our world-class team of eye care professionals will be there to assist every step of the way, ready to answer any questions you may have.
The full exam will last between an hour to an hour and a half. This will allow the optometrist to take the time to analyze your eyes and determine if glasses are necessary. If it turns out that you have a refractive error, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia, the doctor may recommend prescription lenses to alleviate your symptoms. They can also offer other tips to maintain healthy vision, especially if you spend higher-than-normal amounts of time on the computer.
What happens during an eye exam?
A comprehensive eye exam is painless and straightforward. The optometrist is committed to helping you feel as comfortable as possible while providing high-quality eye care. During the appointment, the optometrist may:
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Review your medical history.
They may ask you questions to pinpoint potential vision issues and learn more about your overall eye condition. If the optometrist is aware of your family’s medical history, including predisposition to specific eye issues, they may pay close attention to these conditions while testing.
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2. Check your eye health.
The optometrist will test for refractive issues, such as astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness, as well for other eye conditions, such as glaucoma. By identifying these issues early on, the optometrist will be able to recommend prescription lenses and other ways to improve your symptoms.
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Test for underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Early detection of these conditions can make treatment easier and more successful. It can also signify the presence of other eye conditions that the optometrist will need to monitor. The optometrist can also refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
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Assess your eye coordination.
The optometrist may run a series of tests to identify how your eyes respond to stimulation. If you have crossed eyes or lazy eyes, the optometrist may recommend vision therapy, which will teach you basic exercises to overcome your eye issues.
During or after the eye exam, you should feel free to ask any questions and share any concerns about your eyesight. Our goal is to help you achieve a healthy vision, and we are here to make that journey as simple as possible by educating you about your eye health.
What is included in a comprehensive eye exam?
- A discussion of any vision concerns
- An analysis of current glasses or contact lenses
- An assessment of overall eye health
- An examination of eyes individually and together
- Personal vision advice from the optometrist
Why is a comprehensive eye exam important?
Our eyesight evolves throughout our lives, and children’s eyes are only beginning to develop, which is why regular exam of your eyes is important. Checking on the eyes every year allows the optometrist to identify and diagnose any vision or eye health issues that may develop. And it gives them a baseline for how much these issues have changed over a given period.
Computer usage is also at an all-time high for people of all ages, impacting overall eye health. By spending too much time on screens, you can develop symptoms such as digital eye strain. Instead of coping with these symptoms on your own and having them affect your daily life, a timley visit to an Eye Doctor can help you prevent eye health issues.
By having a regular comprehensive eye exam, you can stay on top of any issues with your eyesight, update your prescriptions, and treat any early signs of impaired vision. Trust that when you take the time to check your eyes, a healthy vision is right around the corner.
Did you know?
- Over 150 million Americans require prescription glasses or contacts due to a refractive error. (Source)
- 50 percent of adults living in the U.S. develop cataracts by age 75. (Source)
- 1 in 4 children with a refractive error does not have the right corrective eyewear. (Source)
What types of eye tests are used at an eye exam?
Eye exams can be intimidating if you haven’t had one before, but don’t worry. Our Independent Doctors of Optometry are trained professionals who are equipped to help with all your eye care needs.
During your appointment, the optometrist may run several tests to check your eye health. The tests may be as simple as having you identify letters on an eye chart to using specialized equipment to check your eye anatomy. The main tests include but are not limited to a(n):
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Vision Test:
All of our comprehensive eye exams include a standard vision test to assess how your eyes perform at different distances. During this test, you will view an eye chart at 20 feet away, using a variety of lenses to see which provides you with the best clarity. This will allow the optometrist to identify farsightedness and nearsightedness, as well as recommend prescription lenses if needed.
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Pupil Test:
There are a few ways the optometrist may assess your pupils, the primary method being to test how your pupils react to changes in light. Your eye doctor will reduce the room’s brightness and have you view an item several feet away while shining a light in your eye. They will watch how your pupil grows smaller or larger in reaction to the light.
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Eye Movement Test:
To see how your eyes work together while focusing on moving objects, the optometrist may perform an eye movement test. This involves them waving an item back and forth in front of you, and by monitoring how your eyes respond, they can assess your peripheral vision (or side vision).
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Eye Pressure Test:
The “puff-of-air” (or tonometry test) assesses your overall eye pressure and helps your eye doctor identify early signs of glaucoma. The optometrist may have you rest your chin in a designated place so that you can view light in the machine at the right angle. Then, they will release air into your eye and monitor how your eye responds.
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Slit Lamp Exam:
A slit lamp is a binocular microscope used to examine the structures of your eye under high magnification. Using a slit lamp, the eye doctor will take a close look at your eye anatomy. It can help diagnose cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye disease, among others.
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Dilated Pupillary Exam:
The doctor will use eye drops to expand your eye’s pupil. That will let them check your eye fundus or retina for signs of disease.
How often should you receive an eye exam?
How often you should see an eye doctor depends on your age, eye health, medical history, and vision concerns. Here are the general guidelines of how often you should receive a comprehensive eye exam:
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