Comprehensive eye exams are extremely important to your eye health. There are conditions, such as glaucoma, that show no symptoms until vision loss has occurred. It is important to find conditions like these as early as possible to reduce damage.
Depending on a few factors, your doctor will ask you to come back either yearly or bi-yearly. Generally, those in good eye health and with low risk factors will be asked to come back for their exam every two years. Those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes, eye injury, or previous eye disease will be asked to come in every year.
During your eye exam, your doctor will discuss with you your medical history and any concerns you may have about your vision. You will be tested for diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal conditions, corneal disease, and refractive errors. Your eyes will be dilated to give your doctor a better look at your retina. Your doctor will also test your eye movements and coordination to make sure your eye muscles are not being strained.
Your eye doctor will also test your visual acuity to see if you have any refractive errors. Common refractive errors include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. These vision conditions are most commonly corrected through the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses, but some choose more permanent solutions such as LASIK surgery. If there is a change in your vision, your doctor will write you a new prescription and go over your vision correction options.
If you are due for an eye exam, give us a call!