Eyes Exams at Associates in Eyecare

Many people only think of having an eye exam when they have problems reading or driving. Your optometrist at Associates in Eyecare wants you to know that having regular eye exams can also allow us to detect and treat more serious eye conditions that could cause the loss of your most precious possession - your vision.

What to Expect During a Typical Eye Exam

A typical eye exam involves these steps:

• Answering questions about vision problems you might be currently experiencing and about your medical history.
• Having your visual acuity tested to see if you need glasses or contact lenses.
• Being given numbing eye drops before your optometrist measures your eye pressure.
• Sometimes using different lights to evaluate the inside and front of each eye.

Several different tests designed to check your vision and examine the function and appearance of all parts of your eyes may be performed during the eye exam. Some parts of the examination, such as the initial eye test and recording your medical history may be conducted by a clinical assistant.

How Eye Exams Differ for Various Ages

Children 5 Years and Younger

Your pediatrician looks for the most common eye problems — crossed eyes, lazy eye, or turned-out eyes. Generally, he or she will advise a more-comprehensive eye exam when your child is between the ages of 3 and 5.

School-Age Children and Adolescents

A good practice is to have children’s vision checked before they enter first grade. Should your child have no family history or symptoms of vision problems regular eye exams should be performed every one to two years.

Adults

In general, adults who have no symptoms of vision problems and are in good health should follow this schedule for eye exams:

• Every five to 10 years if you are in your 20s and 30s
• Every two to four years if you are 40 to 54 years of age
• Every one to three years if you are from 55 to 64
• Everyone 65 years of age or older should have an eye exam every two years

You should have your vision and eye health checked more often if you:

• Wear glasses or contact lenses
• Have a family history of eye disease
• Have a chronic disease that puts you at greater risk of eye disease, such as diabetes

Get In Touch With Us For An Annual Eye Exam Today

Most eye diseases are treatable and many are even preventable. An eye exam enables the detection of problems at their earliest stage when are most successfully treated. A regular exam gives us a chance to help you correct or adapt to vision changes. Contact us today at (703)-865-6890 for more information!