Comprehensive Eye Exams Q & A
What does a comprehensive eye exam include?
Your eye exam will begin by providing your health history and answering questions about your vision and eye health. The exam itself will include tests to ensure your eyes are properly aligned and that they work well together. Dr. Vaughn will evaluate the appearance of your eyes and how your pupils react to light. Other tests include the eye chart test and slit lamp test to evaluate your cornea and iris, and you may also have an eye pressure test for glaucoma. Your doctor will also dilate your pupils using special eye drops so he can see inside your eye to check the health of your retina and your optic nerve head.
What are the benefits of a comprehensive eye exam?
Eye exams are important for detecting and diagnosing serious conditions that could result in permanent loss of vision, including:
- age-related macular degeneration
- glaucoma
- cataracts
- diabetic retinopathy
How often should I have an eye exam?
It depends on your age, your health and your family history of eye problems. In general, children should be evaluated at six month, three years and before first grade. Adults should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every two years until age 60 and annually thereafter. If you have a family history of eye disease or vision problems or you have specific risk factors, you may need a comprehensive exam more frequently.
How can I tell if I need an eye exam?
In addition to having regular comprehensive exams, you should also have an exam if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- blurry vision
- double vision
- problems with nighttime vision
- difficulty focusing
- headaches
- flashing light
- double vision
- difficulty reading or following lines of text
- delayed focusing when looking at objects at varying distances
- eyestrain
- excessively dry eyes
