Comprehensive Eye Exam
Who should get a comprehensive eye exam?
It is always a good idea to take care of your eyes, and getting a comprehensive exam can make sure your eyes stay healthy. Not all medical eye conditions present with symptoms, which is why routinely screening your eyes is so important, especially the older we get. We usually recommend a comprehensive exam every 1-2 years, but that may vary depending on various eye conditions that may be present.
What does a typical exam involve?
Your eye exam may include a series of tests to check the general health of your eyes and screen for certain medical eye conditions. The doctor may examine the following:
Visual acuity - this may include a refraction to help determine your refractive error (see below)
Eye pressure - screen for glaucoma and other conditions. (Don’t worry. There is no puff.). Commonly, patients receive anesthetic (numbing) eye drops the eye for this part.
Pupil size and reactivity
Eye muscles for movement
Stereopsis, depth perception, and color vision
A slit lamp is used by the doctor to allow a detailed examination of your eyes and eyelids. At this point, various eye conditions of the cornea, anterior chamber, iris, etc… can be screened. At this point, you may receive dilation drops so the doctor can get a better view of your natural lens, vitreous, retina, and optic nerve. Dilation may last for several hours until your pupils return back to normal size.
What is a refraction?
In order to get a prescription for glasses or contact lenses, the doctor will need to do a refraction. A device will be used to simulate which set of lenses will give you the best vision. This is the “better 1 or 2” part of the exam.
Refractive error conditions:
Myopia (“near-sighted”) - Difficulty seeing distance
Hyperopia (“far-sighted”) - Difficulty seeing near
Astigmatism - Blurry vision and distortions due to imperfect curvature of the cornea and/or lens
Presbyopia - Difficulty reading generally in patients >40 years old
© 2021 American Academy of Ophthalmology