Comprehensive Eye Exam

What Are The Benefits Of A Comprehensive Eye Exam?

The purpose of a comprehensive eye exam is not only to test your visual acuity but also to check your eyes externally and internally for any signs of disease.

• Visual Function– This includes an evaluation of eye focusing, eye teaming, eye movement abilities, depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision.

• Visual Acuity and Refraction– Your doctor will test your vision with different lenses to determine if glasses or contact lenses can improve your vision.

• External Exam – This is an evaluation of your eyelids and eyelashes, your cornea, tear film, conjunctiva, iris, and the response of the pupils to light.

• Internal Exam – This is best performed through a dilated pupil because the pupil shrinks when light is shone on it making it difficult to see through it to the back of the eye.  It includes an evaluation of the lens and retina. 

• Glaucoma Testing – This is a test of the fluid pressure within your eyes and the evaluation of your Optic Nerves.

• Retinal Photography and Optical coherence tomography (OCT)- A non-invasive imaging technique which generates cross-sectional images of tissue with high resolution.  OCT is similar to ultrasound imaging, which provides images of the deep layers of the retina that can’t be seen by the naked human eye. 

Comprehensive eye exams look at your total health history.
Your eye doctor will discuss your overall body health and that of your immediate family, any medications and supplements that you’re taking, and whether you have High Blood Pressure or Diabetes. They will also want to know if you smoke and how much sun exposure you get. All of these factors help the eye doctor properly assess your eye health.

The American Optometric Association recommends an eye exam every two years if you aren’t having any problems and you’re aged 18-60. After the age of 61, you should schedule a comprehensive exam annually or as recommended by your eye doctor.