What is a comprehensive eye exam & why do I need one?

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor checks multiple structures in the eye and assesses different aspects of the visual system. Our eye doctors may perform the following tests to determine your overall eye health.

• Eye health evaluation: Your eye doctor will look at every part of your eyes starting with the front surface, eyelashes, cornea, etc, all the way back to the retina, the part of the eye that collects visual information to send to the brain.This is done by using a high powered microscope and sometimes your eye doctor may need to dilate your pupils to be able to see the retina better. Eye pressure is also measured to determine if you may be at risk for glaucoma although this is not a single test to determine if you have it or not.
  

• Comprehensive medical history: The status of your overall health plays a large role in the health of your eyes for example diabetes and hypertension can have major effects on the blood supply to your eyes. Some medications you may be taking to combat these systemic issues can also have adverse eye affects, one of the most common being dryness from OTC allergy meds. Your eye doctor needs to know your full medical history to be able to accurately diagnose any issue you may be experiencing.

• Visual acuity testing at distance and near: This is typically checked by having you read the eye chart on the opposite end of the room. This tells your eye doctor how well you are seeing currently and may help determine if you need a refraction i.e. updated glasses prescription.

• Pupils, eye tracking, & eye alignment testing: This helps your eye doctor determine if the muscles and nerves that control how the eyes move are working properly. Certain conditions can cause changes to how the pupils contract or where your eyes align when you are looking directly at something. A quick assessment of your peripheral field of vision is also performed.