Your eyes are one of the most complex organs in your body. A comprehensive eye exam is used as part of our eyecare services to assess your visual system and eye health involves a number of different tests. Unlike a simple vision screening, which only assesses your vision, a comprehensive eye exam includes a battery of tests in order to do a complete evaluation of the health of your eyes and your vision. The tests that you will undergo in a comprehensive eye examination may vary from eye doctor to eye doctor but here is what you should expect during your visit with us. The American Optometric Association recommends regular eye exams and at Longleaf Eyecare Services we will work with you on proper maintenance and care.
Patient medical/ocular history
This information will alert your doctor to any conditions that should be monitored closely, such as allergies to any medications, current or family history of any systemic or eye pathology that could be affecting your vision or eye health. This will also help your doctor to determine any preventative eye care measures that are relevant to keep your eyes healthy for years to come.
Autorefraction/Autokeratometry
A computerized-controlled machine is used to get an objective measurement or an estimation of a person’s refractive error and a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a person’s eye. It also measures the curvature of the cornea which helps your eye doctor determine if you have astigmatism.
Non-contact Tonometry
Commonly known as the “air puff” test. This test is used to measure the pressure inside your eye. The eye pressure reading, known as the intraocular pressure (IOP), helps your eye doctor detect glaucoma.
Lensometer
This instrument will be used to verify the prescription of your current glasses if you wear any.
Visual Acuity
This is the measuring of your vision using an eye chart, the Snellen Eye Chart. This test is the preliminary test of how clearly you are seeing in each eye but it does not give you a prescription for corrective lenses.
Entrance Tests
The battery of tests that may be performed to assess the following: color vision, depth perception, eye alignment, peripheral vision and pupil size/light reaction.
Digital Refraction (New!)
Automatic refraction that is more accurate and more comfortable for the patient than the old-style manual phoropters. The refraction will tell the doctor which prescription lenses will correct your eyesight to achieve 20/20 vision or whichever amount your vision is correctable to.
Slit Lamp
This instrument will allow the doctor to examine the internal and external parts of the eye in detail, such as the conjunctiva, iris, lens, cornea, retina, and optic nerve. The patient rests their forehead and chin on a headrest to stabilize the head, while the doctor looks into the eye with the slit lamp microscope, which is magnified with a high-intensity light. A slit lamp test enables the doctor to evaluate the eyes for signs of normal aging and eye pathologies, such as conjunctivitis, cataracts, macular degeneration or retinal detachment. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases are essential for preventing vision loss.
Pupil dilation/Retinal Imaging
Pupil dilation is done by instilling dilating drops in each eye. By enlarging your pupils it makes it easier for your eye doctor to fully examine the health of the optic nerve and the retina. The dilation is done at the discretion of the doctor, with some patients dilated every year and others at specified intervals. The frequency of dilation will vary for each patient. Typically the drops take around 20-30 minutes to take effect and may last up to several hours following the exam; each patient is different. Since more light enters your eyes when your pupils are dilated, you will be more sensitive to bright light, especially sunlight. Although your doctor may provide disposable sunglasses, you may want to bring a pair of sunglasses to wear after the exam to make it more comfortable until the drops wear off.
Digital retinal imaging is also offered in our office. For patients who cannot have their eyes dilated or they don’t want to deal with the unpleasant side effects of dilation, it is a great option. The digital retinal imaging uses high-resolution imaging systems to take pictures of the inside of your eye. It only takes a few minutes to complete this test and your eye doctor will review your results with you in the exam room. A comprehensive eye exam is an important part of your overall general health maintenance and should be scheduled on a regular basis. The findings from your comprehensive eye exam can give your doctor important information about your overall health, particularly diabetes and high blood pressure.
The Comprehensive Eye Exam Is One Of Our Eyecare Services
A comprehensive eye exam is an important part of your overall general health maintenance and should be scheduled on a regular basis. The findings from your comprehensive eye exam can give your doctor important information about your overall health, particularly diabetes and high blood pressure. Our eyecare services focus on your well being and health. Call us today!
