What is Included in a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Having your eyes checked on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to safeguard your vision. Because your eye health is very important no matter your age, it is important for both adults and children to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every year.

A comprehensive eye exam involves a careful and thorough evaluation of the different aspects of your visual health. We will assess your eye structures and their respective functions. The main objective is to identify eye conditions and render necessary treatment as soon as possible.

Along with testing to see if you need new glasses or contact lenses, tests are performed to see if there are any signs of eye disease such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, which have little or no symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.

Tests that may be included in your comprehensive eye exam are:

Tonometry – This test is important to determine your eye pressure in the evaluation for glaucoma.

Retinoscopy – This is a technique to obtain the objective measurement of your prescription. It provides a way to estimate what your vision prescription may be. It can either be performed by an automated machine or it can be done manually with a retinoscope. The retinoscope shines a bright light into the eye while your doctor observes the reflection off your retina to be able to determine your estimated prescription.

Refraction – This test uses a device called a phoropter to determine your corrective lens prescription.  This instrument is used to test various lenses against your eyes, enabling your doctor to determine the best power prescription for your eyeglasses or contacts. The phoropter measures the exact level of astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia you may have.

Slit Lamp – The slit lamp exam allows the eye to be analyzed from front to back. During this test in Buffalo Grove, your doctor uses a special high-power microscope to examine the structures of your eye, testing for infections or ocular diseases. This test is beneficial for detecting conjunctivitis and other common eye issues as well as more serious ocular conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Besides your eye health, your overall bodily health can be detected through your eyes as well. A comprehensive eye exam can detect tumors, cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, among other conditions that can be first detected in the eyes.

Comprehensive eye exams can only be performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. These professionals have undergone many years of study and training, enabling them to make an accurate diagnosis.

To schedule a comprehensive eye exam with one of our doctors in Buffalo Grove, contact Premier Eye Care & Surgery at 847-459-6060 or eyesbypremier.com today.