Your Examination

Thank you for scheduling an eye examination at our office. We hope that your visit to our clinic is pleasant and that we answer all of your questions.

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.

Preparing for your visit:

A comprehensive eye examination takes approximately one hour. During the exam, you will be given eye drops to dilate your eyes to allow the doctor to do a thorough examination of your eye health. The dilating drops will affect your near vision and make you sensitive to light, in some cases it can affect your distance vision if you are far-sighted. We do provide you with temporary sunglasses if needed. 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.

If you are new patient to our office, we invite you to visit MyEyeHealth online to schedule an examination, complete our registration forms, get directions to our clinics and answer insurance questions.

The visit:

After checking in at our front desk, you will be given a health history form to complete. You will be brought back to your examination room by one of our certified technicians.

To start your exam you will be asked for information about your vision and health history, medications, symptoms of vision problems and other background information.

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, 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.

At the conclusion of your exam, 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 eye wear, medications or surgery. You also may receive written instructions or handouts for your reference.

After the visit:

Once you return home, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.

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, there are some guidelines when you should have an exam.

• Children: ?
• 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.