Eye Exams

Routine Examinations

Routine eye examinations consist of a medical history; which includes, medication and allergy listings, previous eye conditions, current medical conditions and a history of significant medical conditions such as fractures and surgeries.

Visual acuity is taken with glasses or with contacts at both distance and near.  This is a way to measure how well you see and gives us the 20/? number that everyone likes to know.  Your eyes are also checked for how well they line up together as well as their ability to move smoothly in all directions.  The dark area in the center of your eyes, that is called the pupil, is checked to see how well they respond to light.  We also check to make sure your peripheral vision (side vision) is working well and check your central vision with a grid for any possible defects.

Once the above tests are completed, we perform a refraction.  This is the old, which is better, one or two routine.  Sometimes this test needs to be performed more than once, depending on your age and other variables.  After the refraction is done, the health of the front of your eye is checked and drops are put in your eyes. The pressure inside the eye is then checked (we do not use the air puff).  This is important because it is one of the ways we look for glaucoma.  Once the pressures are checked you will have a short wait while the drops take effect, usually 15-20 minutes. Once the pupils are enlarged a second refraction is often done to double check the glasses prescription.

The last stage of the examination is performed to evaluate the inside of the eye and all its' structures; the lens (for cataracts), the vitreous (the jelly in the back of the eye) for any possible problems like floaters or bleeding, the retina (the light sensitive tissue that records images), blood vessels and the optic nerve (the nerve that sends visual information to the brain).  This last portion is very important because many eye diseases are not treatable when left undetected for long periods of time.  Your exam will usually run between 45 minutes to one hour if there are no complications.  If you are over the age of 35, we recommend that you have periodic routine eye exams every two years.  Since your eyes are dilated, we suggest that you have someone drive you home.  Prevention through early detection is the best way to keep eyes healthy.

Intermediate Examinations

An intermediate examination consists of most of the above tests, but is usually done to evaluate a patient that is either high risk for a certain diagnostic condition, or to monitor someone that is going through a period of rapid change in their glasses prescription.  This type of exam is also used for people that have had eye surgery within the last six months.  Your exam will usually run 20 to 30 minutes if there are no complications.

Brief or Short Examinations

Brief or short examinations are primarily designed for patients that come in between routine exams with specific problems or to follow up specific problems such as red eyes or pressure checks for glaucoma patients.  This exam will usually run 5 to 15 minutes if there are no complications.

There are other types of eye appointments, but these are designed for specific types of test and are discussed when conditions are found that warrant further testing.