Comprehensive Eye Exam 

Your eyes are a window to your health, and a comprehensive eye exam can reveal underlying health conditions which you may not be aware of; additionally, some eye diseases have little to no symptoms in the beginning stages, so a comprehensive eye exam is a foundational part of your preventive eye health care.

What is the difference between a vision screening and a comprehensive eye exam?

Vision screening tests can identify vision problems in children or adults, but they cannot provide the same results as a comprehensive eye and vision exam. A comprehensive eye exam looks at both eye health as well as your vision.

Here are some of the conditions which the comprehensive eye exam can identify:

• Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have an astigmatism.
• Focusing problems, such as presbyopia.
• Other vision problems, such as strabismus, amblyopia, or binocular vision.
• Eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
• Other diseases, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, can often be detected in a comprehensive eye exam.

What tests will be part of my comprehensive eye exam?

We will conduct a wide variety of tests to examine both your eye health and vision during your comprehensive eye exam. Tests may include the following:

• A Visual Acuity test will assess the sharpness of your vision, usually using the “Big E” or Snellen chart.
• A Visual fields test will be conducted to determine if you have blind spots or peripheral vision issues.
• A Cover Test will check for strabismus or binocular vision problems.
• The Refraction will enable us to determine your exact eyeglass prescription. We will use an instrument called a phoropter in front of your eyes and show you a series of lens choices.
• A Slit Lamp exam enables us to detect common eye diseases and conditions. The instrument allows the optometrist to examine the structure of your eye to assess its health.
• A Glaucoma test, known as tonometry, measures the pressure within your eye.
• Dilation of the pupil and ophthalmoscopy to examine the optic nerve, retina, and blood vessels.

How often do I need a comprehensive eye exam?

The American Optometric Association recommends you see us on an annual basis if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. We may also recommend more frequent visits if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other underlying health conditions which may affect your eye health and vision. Our optometrist will provide a personal recommendation for you to visit us for comprehensive eye exams based on your health history, vision, and eye health needs to ensure you receive the best eye health care.