Eye Exams

In our commitment to check the complete health of the eyes, a comprehensive eye health exam must include an evaluation of the retina. The retina is the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye on the inside. The retina converts the light that we see into electrical impulses which are carried by the optic nerve to the brain for processing. Many diseases can adversely affect the health of the retina. There are two ways that we can “check the health of the back of your eyes.” We can either put dilating eye drops in your eyes to enlarge the pupil or preferably, our practice offers the Optomap digital retinal photography exam. The Optomap is new technology that allows the doctor and patient to examine the health of the back of eye together without any eye drops or side effects. It is the most efficient way to annually manage the health of the back of the eye. We are proud to offer this technology in both of the offices and in our next blog, we will go into greater length why we encourage every patient to have this done at their yearly eye exam.

This article was provided by AllAboutVision.com.  Follow the links below for more information on eye health and vision correction.

A comprehensive eye exam includes a number of tests and procedures to examine and evaluate the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision.  These tests range from simple ones, like having you read an eye chart, to complex tests, such as using a high-powered lens to examine the health of the tissues inside of your eyes.

Here are some tests you are likely to encounter during a routine comprehensive eye exam:

 

Retinoscopy

This test helps your doctor get a good approximation of your eyeglasses prescription.  For retinoscopy, the room lights are dimmed and an instrument containing wheels of lenses (called a phoropter) is positioned in front of your eyes.  You will be asked to look at an object across the room (usually the big “E” on the wall chart or screen) while your doctor shines a light from a hand-held instrument into your eyes from arm’s length and flips different lenses in front of your eyes.

Based on the way the light reflects from your eye during this procedure, your doctor can get a very good idea of what your eyeglasses prescription should be.  This test is especially useful for children and non-verbal patients who are unable to accurately answer the doctor’s questions.

With the widespread use of automated instruments to help determine eyeglass prescriptions today, many doctors forgo performing retinoscopy during comprehensive eye exams.  However, this test can provide valuable information about the clarity of the internal lens and other media inside the eye.  So doctors who no longer perform this test routinely may still use it when examining someone who may be at risk of cataracts or other internal eye problems.

 

Refraction

This is the test your doctor uses to determine your exact eyeglasses prescription.  During a refraction, the doctor puts the phoropter in front of your eyes and shows you a series of lens choices.  He or she will then ask you which of the two lenses in each choice (“1 or 2,” “A or B,” for example) make the letters on the wall chart look clearer.

Based on your answers, your doctor will determine the amount of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and/or astigmatism you have, and the eyeglass lenses required to correct these vision problems (which are called refractive errors).

 

Autorefractors and aberrometers

Your eye doctor also may use an autorefractor or aberrometer to help determine your glasses prescription.  With both devices, a chin rest stabilizes your head while you typically look at a pinpoint of light or other image.

An autorefractor evaluates the way an image is focused on the retina, where vision processing takes place, without the need for you to say anything.  This makes autorefractors especially useful when examining young children or people who may have difficulty with a regular (“subjective”) refraction.  Automated refractions and subjective refractions are often used together during a comprehensive exam to determine your eyeglasses prescription.

An aberrometer uses advanced wavefront technology to detect even obscure vision errors based on the way light travels through your eye.

 

Cover test

While there are many ways for your eye doctor to check how your eyes work together, the cover test is the simplest and most common.

During a cover test, the eye doctor will have you focus on a small object at distance and will then cover each of your eyes alternately while you stare at the target.  As they do this, eye doctors observe how much each eye has to move when uncovered to pick up the fixation target.  The test is then repeated as you focus on a near object.

Cover tests can detect even very subtle misalignments that can interfere with your eyes working together properly (binocular vision) and cause amblyopia or “lazy eye.”

 

Slit-lamp examination

The slit lamp is an instrument that the eye doctor uses to examine the health of your eyes.  Also called a biomicroscope, the slit lamp gives your doctor a highly magnified view of the structures of the eye, including the lens behind the pupil, in order to thoroughly evaluate them for signs of infection or disease.

The slit lamp is basically an illuminated binocular microscope that’s mounted on a table and includes a chin rest and head band to position the patient’s head properly.  With the help of hand-held lenses, your doctor can also use the slit lamp to examine the retina (the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye.)

 

Tonometry (glaucoma testing)

Tonometry is the name for a variety of tests that can be performed to determine the pressure inside the eye.  Elevated internal eye pressure can cause glaucoma, which is vision loss due to damage to the sensitive optic nerve in the back of the eye.

The most common method used for tonometry is the “air puff” test – where an automated instrument discharges a small burst of air to the surface of your eye.  Based on your eye’s resistance to the puff of air, the machine calculates the pressure inside your eye – called your intraocular pressure (IOP).

Though the test itself can be startling, nothing but air touches your eye during this measurement and there’s no risk of eye injury from the air puff test.

Another popular way to measure eye pressure is with an instrument called an applanation tonometer, which is usually attached to a slit lamp.  For this test, a yellow eye drop is placed on your eyes.  Your eyes will feel slightly heavy when the drops start working.  This is not a dilating drop – it is simply a numbing agent combined with a yellow dye.  Then the doctor will have you stare straight ahead in the slit lamp while he or she gently rests the bright-blue glowing probe of the tonometer on the front of each eye and manually measures the intraocular pressure.

Like the air puff test, applanation tonometry is painless and takes just a few seconds.

Since glaucoma is often the result of an increase of pressure inside the eye, these are important tests for ensuring the long-term health of your eyes.

 

Pupil dilation

Your comprehensive exam may include the use of dilating drops.  These medicated eye drops enlargen your pupil so your doctor can get a better view of the internal structures in the back of the eye.  Dilating drops usually take about 20 minutes to start working.  When your pupils are dilated, you will be sensitive to light, because more light is getting into your eye.  You may also notice difficulty reading or focusing on close objects.  These effects can last for up to several hours, depending on the strength of the drops used.

If you don’t have sunglasses to wear after the exam, disposable sunglasses will be provided to help you drive home.  Dilation is very important for people with risk factors for eye disease, because it allows for a more thorough evaluation of the health of the inside of your eyes.

 

Summary

These are the most common tests performed during a standard comprehensive eye exam.  Depending on your particular needs, your doctor may perform additional tests or schedule them to be performed at a later date.

Article ©2009 Access Media Group LLC. All rights reserved.  Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited.

This article was provided by AllAboutVision.com. Follow the links below for more information on eye health and vision correction.

Eye care experts recommend you have a complete eye exam every one to three years, depending on your age, risk factors, and physical condition.

Children.  Some experts estimate that approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of pre-schoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems.  According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), all children should have their eyes examined at 6 months of age, at age 3 and again at the start of school.  Children without vision problems or risk factors for eye or vision problems should then continue to have their eyes examined at least every two years throughout school.

Children with existing vision problems or risk factors should have their eyes examined more frequently.  Common risk factors for vision problems include:

• premature birth
• developmental delays
• turned or crossed eyes
• family history of eye disease
• history of eye injury
• other physical illness or disease

The AOA recommends that children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses should have their eyes examined at least every 12 months or according to their eye doctor’s instructions.

Adults.  The AOA also recommends an annual eye exam for any adult who wears eyeglasses or contacts.  If you don’t normally need vision correction, you still need an eye exam every two to three years up to the age of 40, depending on your rate of visual change and overall health.  Doctors often recommend more frequent examinations for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders, because many diseases can have an impact on vision and eye health.

If you are over 40, it’s a good idea to have your eyes examined every one to two years to check for common age-related eye problems such as presbyopia, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Because the risk of eye disease continues to increase with advancing age, everyone over the age of 60 should be examined annually.

 

Who should I see for my eye exam?

There are two kinds of eye doctors – ophthalmologists and optometrists.  Who you should see depends on your needs and preferences.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in eyecare.  In addition to prescribing eyeglasses and contacts, ophthalmologists are licensed to perform eye surgery and treat medical conditions of the eye.  Ophthalmologists generally undergo eight or more years of training after college.

Optometrists (ODs) are eye doctors who can prescribe glasses and contacts and treat medical conditions of the eye with eye drops and other medicines.  They are not licensed to perform eye surgery.  Optometrists generally receive four or more years of training after college.

 

How much does an eye exam cost?

Eye exams are available in many settings, from discount optical stores to surgical offices, so the fees can vary widely.  Additionally, fees can vary depending upon whether the exam is performed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, and the type of services that are included in the exam.

Generally speaking, contact lens exams cost more than regular eye exams.  Likewise, an additional or higher fee may be charged for specialized services such as laser vision correction evaluations.

Many insurance plans cover at least a portion of eye exam services.  Check to see what your benefits are and which eye doctors in your area participate in your plan before you make an appointment.  Then be sure to give your doctor’s office your insurance information to verify coverage.

 

What information should I take with me to my eye exam?

It’s important to have some basic information ready at the time of your eye examination.  Bring the following items to your exam:

• All eyeglasses and contact lenses you routinely use, including reading glasses.
• A list of any medications you take (including dosages).
• A list of any nutritional supplements you take (including dosages).
• A list of questions to ask the doctor, especially if you are interested in contact lenses or laser vision correction surgery.

Finally, also bring your medical or vision insurance card if you will be using it for a portion of your fees.

Article ©2009 Access Media Group LLC. All rights reserved.  Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited.

This article was provided by AllAboutVision.com. Follow the links below for more information on eye health and vision correction.

Regardless of your age or physical health, it’s important to have regular eye exams.

During a complete eye exam, your eye doctor will not only determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but will also check your eyes for common eye diseases, assess how your eyes work together as a team and evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health.

 

Who should get their eyes examined?

Eye examinations are an important part of health maintenance for everyone. Adults should have their eyes tested to keep their prescriptions current and to check for early signs of eye disease. For children, eye exams can play an important role in normal development.

Vision is closely linked to the learning process. Children who have trouble seeing or interpreting what they see will often have trouble with their schoolwork. Many times, children will not complain of vision problems simply because they don’t know what “normal” vision looks like. If your child performs poorly at school or exhibits a reading or learning problem, be sure to schedule an eye examination to rule out an underlying visual cause.

 

What is the eye doctor checking for?

In addition to evaluating whether you have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, your eye doctor will check your eyes for eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss. Here are some examples of the conditions that your eye doctor will be looking for:

• Amblyopia: This occurs when the eyes are misaligned or when one eye has a much different prescription than the other. The brain will “shut off” the image from the turned or blurry eye. If left untreated, amblyopia can stunt the visual development of the affected eye, resulting in permanent vision impairment. Amblyopia is often treated by patching the stronger eye for periods of time.
• Strabismus: Strabismus is defined as crossed or turned eyes. Your eye doctor will check your eyes’ alignment to be sure that they are working together. Strabismus causes problems with depth perception and can lead to amblyopia.
• Eye Diseases: Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, have no obvious symptoms in their early stages. Your eye doctor will check the health of your eyes inside and out for signs of early problems. In most cases, early detection and treatment of eye diseases can help reduce your risk for permanent vision loss.
• Other Diseases: Your eye doctor can detect early signs of some systemic conditions and diseases by looking at your eye’s blood vessels, retina and so forth. They may be able to tell you if you are developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other problems.For example, diabetes can cause small blood vessel leaks or bleeding in the eye, as well as swelling of the macula (the most sensitive part of the retina), which can lead to vision loss. It’s estimated that one-third of Americans who have diabetes don’t know it; your eye doctor may detect the disease before your primary care physician does, especially if you’re overdue for a physical.

 

What’s the difference between a vision screening and a complete eye exam?

Vision screenings are general eye tests that are meant to help identify people who are at risk for vision problems. Screenings include brief vision tests performed by a school nurse, pediatrician or volunteers. The eye test you take when you get your driver’s license renewed is another example of a vision screening.

A vision screening can indicate that you need to get an eye exam, but it does not serve as a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam.

A comprehensive eye examination is performed by an eye doctor and will involve careful testing of all aspects of your vision. Based upon the results of your exam, your doctor will then recommend a treatment plan for your individual needs. Remember, only an eye doctor can provide a comprehensive eye exam. Most family physicians and pediatricians are not fully trained to do this, and studies have shown that they can miss important vision problems that require treatment.

Treatment plans can include eyeglasses or contact lenses, eye exercises or surgery for muscle problems, medical treatment for eye disease or simply a recommendation that you have your eyes examined again in a specified period of time.

No matter who you are, regular eye exams are important for seeing more clearly, learning more easily and preserving your vision for life.

Article ©2009 Access Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited.