Maintaining healthy eyes should be part of your healthcare routine. Annual eye exams are essential in identifying any underlying conditions and preventing future vision problems. At Lentz Eye Care, we make it our priority to provide you with quality and comprehensive eye exams. Our optometrist provide thorough eye exams using the latest technology, but we also take time to listen to your needs and explain your options. In this post, we’ll discuss what happens during an eye exam and why they're essential.
During your visit, we’ll conduct a series of tests to check your vision, eye muscles, and overall eye health. Here are the tests you should expect during your eye exam:
- Physical eye health exam: The external and internal parts of the eyes are examined using special instruments like a slit lamp biomicroscope, binocular indirect ophthalmoscope and special focusing lenses. Your pupils may be dilated with eye drops for some of these tests.
- Tonometry: This is one of several risk factors for glaucoma that we evaluate. It is a measure of the fluid pressure inside the eye. We offer a couple of ways to do this test: 1) a new generation of air puff test that is very gentle and quiet, 2) Goldmann tonometry, which is a device with a blue light that shines at the eye.
- Visual field test: Every comprehensive exam includes a screening of your peripheral vision with a computerized autoperimeter. You click a hand-held button when you see shimmering squares off to the side. It takes about 1.5 minutes per eye and it can help diagnose or rule out neurological disorders of the visual system.
- Refraction: This test determines your eyeglass or contact lens prescription and we perform precise measurement in several different ways to determine the lens formula that will work best for you. Instruments used include computerized autorefractor, phoroptor and retinoscope, but an important part of prescribing lenses is for the doctor to understand how you use your eyes at work and leisure.
- Binocular vision testing: We test your eye coordination to be sure your vision is comfortable and that your eyes work well together. This includes an analysis of the eye muscles used for movement, focusing and depth perception. If you have a problem with binocularity, your doctor may correct it with prescription glasses or recommend vision therapy.
- Optos retinal photography: The Optomap scanning laser takes a digital color photograph of the back of your eye. This test is recommended on a routine basis to provide your doctor with a baseline record of the appearance of your retina, internal blood vessels and optic nerve. It is also used to document diseases and anatomical abnormalities and monitor them over time.
- Macular Pigment Optical Density: MPOD is a measure of the risk for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. This screening test measures the density of pigment cells in the macula and it is recommended for all patients 18 and over. This test is evaluated along with 10 other AMD risk factors. Patients with a low macular pigment score may take nutritional supplements which will provide protection against macular degeneration and could even restore the pigment layer.
- Specular endothelial microscopy. A microscope magnifies the cells thousands of times and the image is captured with a camera. The reason for this exam is to monitor the number, density and quality of endothelial cells that line the back of the cornea. Healthy endothelial cells keep the cornea clear.
What Information Should You Bring?
When you schedule your eye exam, you’ll be asked to provide information about your medical history, including any medications you’re taking, allergies, and previous eye surgeries. Also, bring your current pair of glasses or contacts and any previous eye exam records.
Early Detection and Eye Diseases
Early detection of eye conditions is crucial to prevent vision loss. Some eye diseases such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy do not have any symptoms in the early stages. Annual eye exams can catch these conditions early, allowing for prompt treatment to prevent vision loss so don’t wait until you have symptoms to book your appointment.
Schedule Your Exam With Lentz Eye Care
At Lentz Eye Care, we are committed to providing our patients with comprehensive eye exams to ensure healthy vision. Whether you’re experiencing vision problems or just need to schedule an annual exam, our team of professional optometrists is ready to assist you. Scheduling your eye exam today is the first step towards healthy vision. Early detection of eye diseases through annual eye exams can prevent vision loss.