EYE EXAMS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN TYPES:
- ROUTINE VISION EXAM- focuses on measuring visual acuity and a glasses prescription, if needed. An eye health "screening" is also performed to screen for diseases affecting the eyes. If a contact lens prescription is needed, a CONTACT LENS EVALUATION/FITTING can be performed.
- Self pay Vision exam $95 (new patient) or $75 (established patient)
- Routine vision benefits may be billed for this visit
- MEDICAL EYE EXAM- this is a comprehensive evaluation of the eyes, often including dilation of the eyes to allow for a more detailed view of the back of the eyes to test for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye disease, retinal detachment, and more.
- Self pay medical visits range in cost based on complexity of the visit (contact our office for a cost estimate)
- Medical insurance may be billed for this visit (copays and deductibles may apply)
- A "refraction" may be performed to measure a glasses prescription. Some medical insurances can be billed for a refraction, but if your medical plan does not cover routine vision services, an additional $30 fee will apply.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU HAVE AN EYE EXAM?
Children and adults of all ages benefit from yearly eye exams. Individuals with eye conditions and chronic health problems may need eye exams more often.
- CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS- Yearly routine vision exams are recommended to monitor for changes in vision. An updated glasses prescription is given if needed and an optional SCREENING SCAN which aids in early diagnosis of eye diseases. Our eyes continue to develop from birth until late teenage years. Often the glasses prescription needs to be updated every 6-12 months.
- OLDER ADULTS OR ANYONE WITH KNOWN EYE DISEASE- The risk for eye diseases increases with age. It is recommended that yearly medical eye exams be performed by age 60 (or sooner if eye disease is diagnosed). This reduces risk of permanent loss of vision from preventable eye damage.
- TODDLERS AND PRE-SCHOOLERS- It is important to screen for learning related vision problems before your child enters pre-school. The pediatrician may not catch all types of vision problems, so a baseline eye exam is recommended before Kindergarten.
Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
At Sylvester Eye Care & Aesthetics, a comprehensive eye exam begins with the gathering of a complete medical history. This information is important as certain medications and systemic diseases can affect the eyes and vision. For example, diabetes can cause a shift in your glasses prescription and bleeding in the retina; auto-immune and thyroid diseases can cause inflammation in the eyes and severe dry eye disease; some forms of cancer can affect the eyes; and many medications can cause vision changes.
Testing Your Visual Acuity
Once you are in the exam room, a technician will test your visual acuity by having you read letters and/or numbers from an eye chart. During this exam, both eyes will be tested then each eye will be tested separately. Your near vision will also be tested using a small handheld eye chart. If you do not see 20/20, which is considered perfect vision, then various lenses may be used in order to determine your eyeglass prescription if requested.
Color Blindness Test
Children and individuals who have never been tested for color blindness may undergo a color blindness test. This test involves looking at circles with various colored dots and stating the number that is seen in the center of the circle. Red/green color blindness is the most common type and affects males more than females.
Depth Perception Test
Your depth perception allows you to tell how far away an object is located. This test is often given to children but may also be given to adults. It involves looking at dots on a page and stating whether or not they appear elevated. Individuals without depth perception typically have a lazy eye or problems with eye teaming. Certain eye exercises and visual therapy may be able to help increase your eyes’ ability to work together.
Eye Movement Test
Eye movement tests check to see how well your eyes move and focus on objects. This often involves following a pen or our eye doctor’s finger while he or she watches your eyes. Problems with eye mobility can lead to eye strain and difficulty reading. If you play sports, having limited eye mobility and slow focus can affect your performance.
Eye Dilation
Dilating eye drops are used to check the back of your eyes and evaluate the health of your retina and macula. This test can find signs of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and other problems with the back of the eye. If you are scheduled for a dilated medical eye exam, we recommend that you bring a second driver.
Eye Exam Scheduling
To schedule an appointment for your next eye exam, call or text our office at 405-778-8993 (SOUTH OFFICE) or 405-607-8948 (NORTH OFFICE)
