Eye Exams
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Routine eye exams are critical to maintaining good vision and to keeping your eyes healthy. Regularly schedule exams are important if you are not experiencing anything out of the ordinary. Some eye diseases can progress without warning and no discernible symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can be key in preventing loss of vision.
During a comprehensive eye examination, our board-certified optometrists can detect eye conditions early to provide the best care and treatment possible. Learn about the different kinds of eye conditions and disease here. Be prepared to describe any current vision problem and ask your eye doctor if your vision will be temporarily affected in case you are in need of a ride home.
What to bring to your appointment: medical insurance card, identification, list of prescriptions, current eye drops, contact lenses and glasses you use.
How to prepare for your appointment. Gather information to help answer questions your eye doctor may ask:
Any current symptoms: blurred vision, flashes of light, night visions difficulties, temporary double vision, any loss of vision
Any eye injuries or eye surgeries (dates, practice/location treated)
Family history of eye problems (glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, etc.).
Any questions about vision, glasses, contacts, laser surgery, etc.
Current prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs
General health condition (allergies, chronic health issues, operations, etc.)
Adults:
Routine eye exams every two years is important for those under the age of 40 who have stable vision, without any eye disease. The eyes are dilated so the doctor can see into your retina, your vision is checked and you are screened for eye diseases or disorders to determine if further testing or a more a more specialized exam is required.
Children:
Children should have an eye exam before starting school, even if not having any symptoms. Children might not notice blurred vision, or any other vision issue, as that is how they grew up seeing and may think it is normal
Signs that You May Need an Eye Exam:
Children:
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, request your appointment today with one of our optometrists.
- Holding a book too close to their eyes
- Difficulty reading the blackboard in school
- Complaints of blurry eyesight
- Squinting a lot
- Closing or covering one eye in order to see
- Any other abnormal eye symptoms
If you or another adult in your family is experiencing any of these symptoms, request an eye exam
with one of our optometrists.
Adults:
- Difficulty focusing on close or distant objects
- Arms are suddenly “too short,” i.e., need to hold the newspaper or other reading material far away
- Unusual difficulty adjusting to dark rooms
- Unusual sensitivity to light or glare
- Change in the color of the iris
- Red-rimmed, encrusted, or swollen lids
- Pain in or around the eyes
- Double vision
- Dark spot at the center of their vision
- Lines and straight edges appear wavy or distorted
- Excess tearing or “watery eyes”
- Eyes feeling dry or tired toward the end of the day
- Itching or burning
- Seeing spots or ghost-like images
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, request an eye exam.
Symptoms or indicators of serious medical issues requiring immediate attention:
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye
- Sudden hazy or blurred vision
- Flashes of light or black spots in the field of vision
- Halos or rainbows around lights
- Curtain-like blotting out of vision
- Loss of peripheral (side) vision
Routine Eye Exam
Both eyes are checked for:
- Pupil health
- Muscle alignment/function
- Peripheral vision
- Pressure inside the eye
- Health of the entire eye
Visual acuity
Test that measures the smallest object each eye can see at a certain distance. Normally, each eye will be done individually by covering one eye at a time. The use of the Snellen chart (letters and numbers that decrease in size) is the most common way to test visual acuity.
Vision by the numbers
Having 20/20 vision is normal.
If a person has 20/40 vision, they see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet.
If someone has 20/200 vision, they see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 200 feet.
Testing by the Tumbling E for Children
Children who don’t know their letters and numbers yet can be tested with the Tumbling E chart. To take this test, the child points his/her finger in the same direction as the E is pointing. Several different tests can measure visual acuity of a child younger than four.
Pupil Health
Is crucial during a comprehensive exam because careful observation may reveal neurological changes as well as information about the anterior pathways of the eye.
Muscle alignment/function
Examines the functionality of each of the six muscles of the eye as well as checks for sources of possible double vision and binocular deficiencies.
Peripheral vision
Checks the ability of eyes to see peripheral targets. Many eye and brain disorders can cause peripheral vision loss and can be the first sign and symptom seen.
Pressure inside the eye
Also known as tonometry, determines the risk of glaucoma. A normal pressure ranges from 8-22mmHg, Most glaucoma cases are found with pressures above 20, but in different types of glaucoma, pressure can be as little as 12. Eye pressure is unique to each person and is used in combination of several other screening factors to determine any need for more testing.
Health of the entire eye
The doctor will look at both front and back of the eye. This could find causes of symptoms that may not be noticed or find changes in the eye that may lead to something more serious.
Optos Retinal Imaging
The Optos takes a high definition image of the retina (the back of the eye). It allows the doctor to assess the health of the retina, verify or rule out possible signs of glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, retinal tears, retinal detachments, freckles, melanoma and much more. Other benefits: Digital documentation can be compared yearly by the doctor; document any subtle changes on future visits; take a baseline image of suspicious findings; have the ability to show the patient what doctors see in their eyes.
Our doctors prefer digital images performed on every patient. You will be asked at every annual exam if you’d like to have this image taken.
New Patients
EyeCare Optical is always glad to accept new patients. LEARN MORE…
Drop in or call us now to set up your appointment. Today! CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE!