Understanding Comprehensive Eye Exams

The refraction test is the part of the exam that determines the exact prescription you need for glasses or contact lenses. With the help of a phoropter, our eye doctors will let you view through different lenses while asking, “Which one is clearer?” In some cases, they may also use automatic equipment to get an initial approximation. When needed, they may use eye drops to temporarily relax the focusing power of your eyes, ensuring that the measurement is as accurate as possible.

For seamless vision, your eyes must focus and move together correctly. During your comprehensive exam, tests assessing eye teaming, ocular motility, and accommodation are performed. This helps reveal any issues with how your eyes work in unison, which might lead to symptoms like eyestrain, double vision, or headaches.

Arguably the most critical part of a comprehensive eye exam is the thorough evaluation of eye health. With advanced digital technology, specialized microscopes, and lenses, our eye doctors examine both the front and back structures of your eyes. This exam often includes:

• External Examination: A close look at your eyelids, cornea, and iris to spot signs of infection or injury.
• Slit-Lamp Examination: Using a slit lamp microscope to view the intricate structures and check for abnormalities such as cataracts or corneal abrasions.
• Intraocular Pressure Measurement: Also known as tonometry, this test measures the pressure inside your eyes to help detect glaucoma, often using a gentle puff of air or a pressure-sensitive instrument.
• Retinal (Fundus) Examination: By dilating your pupils with special drops, our eye doctors can examine the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. This helps detect conditions like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or other systemic health issues.

If any results from the initial series of tests appear uncertain or if there are specific symptoms to address, additional tests may be conducted. These could include:

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Which produces cross-sectional images of the retina.
• Fundus Photography: Which captures detailed images of the back of the eye for ongoing monitoring.
• Corneal Topography: Creating a detailed map of your corneal surface where necessary.
• Pachymetry: Measuring the thickness of your cornea, particularly if glaucoma is a concern.

These advanced tests help ensure that even subtle changes in your eye health do not go unnoticed, paving the way for early intervention and management.