YOUR EYE EXAMINATION
Why
should I have my eyes examined regularly?
How often should I have an eye examination?
What can I expect during my eye examination?
How long does a complete eye examination take?
Will I be able to drive home?
Why
should I have my eyes examined regularly?
The best way
to ensure a lifetime of good vision is through regular, comprehensive
eye examinations. An examination by an EyeHealth Northwest ophthalmologist
or optometrist is much more than a test to determine if you need
gasses or contact lenses. A comprehensive eye examination also includes:
- A test to
measure your eye pressure
- A retinal
exam to view the back of your eye
- A microscopic
examination of the front of your eye
In addition
to ensuring proper eyesight, regular eye examinations allow your
eye doctor to detect and treat diseases at the earliest possible
opportunity. Several eye diseases, such as glaucoma, show no symptoms
in their early stages. A regular comprehensive eye examination can
help detect diseases early, improving the likelihood for successful
treatment.
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How often should I have an eye examination?
Maintaining
regular checkups is important. Although you will need to consult
with your own eye care practitioner, here are some general guidelines
recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
|
Age
40 and under |
Once
every three years |
|
|
Age
40 - 65 |
Once
every two years |
|
|
Age
65 and over |
Annually |
|
In addition,
if you are a diabetic, it is critical that you have a comprehensive
eye examination every year. An eye condition known as diabetic retinopathy
is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes
and is the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans.
Some patients with certain ocular or systemic conditions may require
more frequent examinations.
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What can I expect during my eye examination?
A complete eye
examination typically includes all, or an appropriate combination
of, the following components:
Case History
Your eye doctor will ask you for information about your vision and
health history, medications, symptoms of vision problems and other
background information.
Visual System
Evaluation
|
 |
|
Examination
using a
slit lamp biomicroscope. |
Using a number
of tests and medical instruments, your eye doctor will conduct an
external
and internal exam of the various parts of your vision system including
the eyelashes, eyelids, conjunctiva, iris, lens, cornea, pupils,
extra-ocular muscles, blood vessels, optic nerve and the retina.
The eye doctor will assess the health of your eyes and look for
vision problems such as glaucoma, cataracts and corneal diseases.
The doctor will also look for ocular changes associated with systemic
diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and neurological
disorders. This evaluation may also include a refraction, which
determines whether you need prescription lenses or not.
Diagnosis
and Treatment Plan
Your eye doctor will make a final diagnosis and discuss a treatment
plan designed specifically for you. The eye doctor will prescribe
any necessary treatments such as corrective eyewear or medications.
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How long does a complete eye examination
take?
A complete eye
examination takes approximately one hour.
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Will I be able to drive home?
Most patients
feel comfortable driving after having their eyes dilated. If you
are unsure or uneasy driving while your eyes are dilated, please
be safe and bring another driver with you to your examination.
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