Maintaining Good Eye Health Starts With An Exam
Maintaining your ocular health is a continuous journey that can easily be attainable with proper eye exams. At Advanced Eye Physician, it is our responsibility to monitor your eye health and vision so you can enjoy everything the world has to offer for as long as possible.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association recommend adults aged 18 through 64 have an eye exam at least every 2 years. They also recommend adults over 65 see their eye doctor annually.
We recommend attending a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. They help us keep track of your health and implement any necessary treatments to keep your eyes happy and healthy. Overall, your exam will be detailed and thorough and will give you the chance to ask any questions you might have.
What Does an Eye Exam Entail?
Typically, a comprehensive eye exam will involve basic assessments of your eyes’ internal and external functions. If we notice anything unusual, we can evaluate the situation and recommend treatment or further testing.
To begin, we will discuss your medical history and general health. We may ask about your family’s medical history, the medications you currently take, and if you wear corrective lenses. If you have been seeing us for a while, we may also discuss your last visit and ask if you have anything specific you would like to address.
Visual Acuity
One of the most familiar parts of your eye exam will involve testing your visual acuity. We will get you to read letters on a chart, called a Snellen chart, to determine how well you can see at various distances. If you need corrective lenses, we will also use a phoropter to see what lens power is necessary to give you clear vision.
Your doctor may also perform a visual field test to assess your peripheral vision if your condition warrants or needs it.
Your Eye & Its Movement
During your eye exam, we will perform an ocular motility test to evaluate your eyes’ movement. This test will help us see if your eyes are aligned and your eye muscles are working correctly.
Your doctor will also assess the external parts of your eye, including the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens. At this point, we can check for any scars, scratches, or early signs of cataracts. We will also use a beam of light to examine how your pupils respond to light.
The Inside of Your Eye
One of the most important parts of seeing your doctor regularly is to have the internal components of your eyes examined. We may use dilating eye drops, which may make your vision blurry, so we will let you know before your appointment to plan a ride home. Dilating eye drops widen your pupil to give us a better view of the back of your eye, which lets us assess your retina and optic nerve for early signs of damage.
To test for glaucoma, we may also use a tonometer to measure your eye’s internal pressure. The tests we perform may be more relevant depending on your unique situation, including your age and any underlying conditions you may have.
We will always discuss the tests we perform that may affect your vision or ability to drive or work with you ahead of time. If you have any questions about our comprehensive eye exams, please contact us at your earliest convenience.