An eye exam
consists of more than just checking to see if you need glasses. During a
comprehensive eye exam, we not only determine your prescription for glasses or
contact lenses, we also assess your eyes’ ability to work together as a team
(binocular vision). The dilated portion of the comprehensive eye exam helps us
check for eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataract, and macular degeneration;
and helps us evaluate your eyes for signs of systemic disease such as diabetes,
high blood pressure, even brain tumors. Adults and children should have
routine eye exams to keep prescriptions current and to check for early signs of
eye diseases. Early detection can prevent vision loss.
Below is a list of a few eye conditions and eye diseases that we look for during a comprehensive eye exam:
Refractive
error:
This is your eyes’ “optical” prescription. There are 3 types of refractive
error, myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism
(irregular shape to the eye which results in two separate focal points). These
conditions can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, and refractive
surgery.
Presbyopia: This is
the eyes inability to focus up close. This happens as a result of the aging
process. This condition can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, and
refractive surgery.
Amblyopia: Amblyopia
is poor development of central vision as a result of a turned eye or a large
asymmetry (difference) in refractive error between the two eyes. If untreated,
amblyopia can slow visual development of the affected eye, which can lead to
permanent vision loss.
Strabismus: Strabismus
is an eye that turns inwards or outwards relative to the other eye. If left
untreated, a strabismus can lead to amblyopia, and decrease depth perception.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma
is the degeneration of the optic nerve (a nerve tract that connects and
transmits information from the eye to the brain) often associated with high eye
pressures. During a comprehensive eye exam, we perform numerous tests that tell
us whether or not you have glaucoma. Because there are virtually no symptoms,
it is important to have regular eye exams to prevent permanent vision loss.
Macular degeneration: Macular
Degeneration is a disease that affects the small “sweet spot” (macula) of the
retina critical for acute central vision tasks such as reading, driving, and
watching television. A comprehensive examination can detect the condition in
its early stages.
Cataracts: A cataract
is a clouding of the crystalline lens which rests just behind the colored part
of the eye. Once cataracts develop patients often feel as if they are looking
through a dirty window pane, which can cause symptoms of glare at night.
Systemic
diseases:
A comprehensive eye exam can detect early signs of many systemic diseases
including diabetes and high blood pressure.
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