Eye Exams

Eye Exams Videos

What to Expect During an Eye Exam
American Family Vision Clinic

The Importance of Eye Testing for Optimal Ocular Health

In order to maintain our ocular health, we require periodic examinations from optometrists to prevent, detect, and treat diseases and complications, including those involving motor visual and cognitive deficits.

What Do Eye Exams Test For?

Eye exams are important for checking vision and assessing overall eye health. These include routine vision exams as well as more extensive testing. Eye assessments are critical for:

Assessing overall visual acuity, and prescribing corrective measures such as glasses and contact lenses for children and adults
Comprehensive testing of all aspects of visual health
Detecting evidence of macular degeneration such as glaucoma and other degenerative disorders, and initiating treatment or therapy
Monitoring and treating ocular conditions such as cataracts and corneal laceration
Detecting and treating infections or symptoms indicating the onset of infection
Identifying visual-motor and neurological deficits and implementing corrective measures including a rehabilitation plan of Vision Therapy

Which Ocular Symptoms Require Immediate Attention?

Contact an optometrist if you experience any of the following signs; particularly those following trauma to the head or orbital region. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, refrain from wearing contact lenses until you have been examined by an optometrist.

Pain or discomfort
Heavy tearing
Redness, swelling, irritation
Loss of vision, double or blurred vision
Bulging eyes
Discharge or crustiness
Floaters
The sensation of a foreign object

What Treatments are Used for Various Ocular Disorders?

Treatments vary depending on complications, the health and medical history of the patient, and how early the condition is detected. Different interventions include:

Correcting vision with prescription glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
Antibiotics for infections such as conjunctivitis
Surgery to correct cataracts or other issues such as corneal laceration
Medicated drops to prevent visual deterioration from glaucoma
Vision Therapy for people with visual-motor or neurological deficits
Removal of a foreign object

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What to Expect from An Eye Exam

Eye examinations include simple tests to assess general vision, as well as more comprehensive examinations for overall eye health. Depending on how extensive the testing an exam can take up to 90 minutes. Exams for the young and healthy are generally shorter in duration and should average under 30 minutes. Many experts recommend that children have a comprehensive examination before beginning grade school, followed by subsequent annual testing. Common tests include:

Visual Acuity Assessment: This checks overall vision. You will be asked to read from a Snellen chart where the letters decrease in size as you progress down the chart.
Assessing The Pupil: The doctor will see how well your pupils adjust to nearby objects and light, as well as examine external parts of the orbital region.
Checking Ocular-Muscle Movement: This is a common way to measure alignment. The doctor will ask you to follow and track an object.
Cover Test: The optometrist will cover and uncover each eye while you focus on an object, to determine how well they work in unison.
Fundoscopy: A magnifying instrument called an ophthalmoscope is used to observe the retina and optic nerve
Glaucoma testing: Diagnosis is easy and painless, using a device that subjects the eyes to bursts of strong air pressure.
An open-dilated test: This is a standard procedure for diabetics and other high-risk patients, where drops are administered to dilate the pupils, allowing thorough evaluation. Take a friend with you if you are driving, since you will be unable to drive home.
A slit-lamp examination: This instrument creates a 3D image, allowing for analysis of the entire orbital structure.

In addition to standard assessments for visual acuity, the following groups require more extensive testing. These include:

Diabetics and others with disorders that make them vulnerable to macular degeneration
People with a family history of ocular disease
People taking steroid-based medications
Those with high blood pressure or high blood pressure
Heavy drinkers and smokers
Adults after 40
Children born at a low birth weight

Don't Leave Your Vision to Chance. Connect with an Amplify EyeCare Optometrist

Amplify EyeCare is a team of a passionate and experienced optometrists practicing eye care at the cutting edge of technology and vision science. We are growing with new locations coming across the US.

Visit a Routine Eye Care eye doctor at an Amplify EyeCare practice near you:

Amplify EyeCare Santa Clarita in Santa Clarita, California
Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, California
Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, Tennessee
American Family Vision Clinic in Olympia, Washington

Common Questions

How Often Should I Get An Eye Exam?

Speak to your optometrist to find out how often to schedule exams. Children should have a comprehensive exam before beginning grade school. Good vision is essential for academic and social success. A thorough exam will also gauge whether prescription glasses are required.

What Should I Expect When Coming In For An Eye Exam?

A few things can be expected when coming in for an eye exam. Every patient will be greeted by the front desk. For first time patients there will be some paperwork to fill out, namely intake forms. First time patients should also bring their insurance information if applicable. Returning patients need only arrive at the office and wait to be seen. If a patient wears glasses they should bring in their most recent pair so the doctors can take a look. Lastly, everyone should have an enjoyable and safe experience.

What Tests Are Done At An Eye Exam?

Most exams follow a similar layout in terms of tests performed. There is a visual acuity test, retinoscopy, refraction, external exam, slit lamp, and a dilation. These tests center around clarity of vision, retinal health and general eye health.

Can An Eye Examination Detect Diabetes?

Diabetes is often first diagnosed by eye doctors, which is especially true with offices that have advanced diagnostics equipment such as an OCT and ERG. These devices are able to identify damage far earlier than other eye exams. In addition, eye doctors are often the first to identify diabetes since blurry vision is one of the first signs of the condition. Diabetes can be detected in an eye exam even if no symptoms are present. It is important to keep in mind the importance of annual comprehensive eye exams as a dilated comprehensive eye exam can detect many diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and other conditions.

Summary

In order to maintain a lifetime of vision and ocular health, there are no substitutes for eye examinations to assess all aspects of ocular health, and to monitor for visual motor and neurological deficits, and ocular disease. Contact us today to find out more about vision testing.