What Can I Expect From a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam involves various tests. Your eye doctor will check for signs of eye disease and evaluate your vision. To do so, your ophthalmologist will use several instruments. Each test in the eye exam assesses a particular aspect of your eye and vision health. The exam helps catch eye issues at their earliest stage. It is the best time to treat any eye problems.

Getting regular, comprehensive eye exams provides your eye doctor a chance to administer adaptive or corrective measures. Additionally, comprehensive eye exams might give insights into your overall health.

What to Expect From a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Here is what you can expect:

Before the Exam

If you are getting an eye exam as a first-timer, expect comprehensive questions. The questions help your eye doctor better understand your vision and overall health history. It also helps your ophthalmologist assess your risk of vision problems and eye disease. Some of the questions you might expect are:
 

• Do you have a history of eye issues?
   

• Are your experiencing eye problems now?
   

• Have you had health issues in recent years?
   

• Do you wear contacts or eyeglasses? If so, are you comfortable with them?
   

• Do you take any medications?
   

• Were you born prematurely?
   

• Do you have allergies to certain foods, medications, or other substances?
   

• Does anyone in your family have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease?
   

• Does any family member have eye issues like glaucoma, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration?
   

• Have you had any eye surgery?
   

During the Comprehensive Eye Exam

A clinical assistant might help during the exam. He/she will record your medical history and perform the initial eye test. A comprehensive eye test will involve various steps. Your doctor will evaluate your visual acuity to establish if you need contact lenses or eyeglasses for improved vision.

Then, your eye pressure will come under scrutiny. The process involves the administration of a numbing drop in your eyes. The eye drops dilate your eyes, helping your doctor examine your eyes more comprehensively. After the dilation, your ophthalmologist might use various lights or imaging. This will help in examining the front and the inside of your eyes.

Your eye doctor may perform other tests too. These include a cover test, eye muscle movement test, and refraction testing. Others include slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy, external exam, and pupil reaction.

After the Eye Exam

After completing your eye exam, your doctor will explain the results of all the tests to you. This includes your risk of eye disease and the overall assessment of your vision. You will also receive advice on the preventative measures you can take to care of your eyes. Also, you might want to wear sunglasses after the exam. This is because the dilation can make your eyes very sensitive to light afterward.

For more about comprehensive eye exams, visit Davie Family Eye Care at our office in Davie, Florida. You can also call (754) 238-5360 to book an appointment today.