Routine Eye Exams

What is a routine eye exam?​

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In our office, a routine eye exam is a complete eye exam, including a new prescription,  for people WITHOUT medical needs. 

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How is this different from a medical eye exam?

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There are a lot of similarities between a medical exam and a routine eye exam.  Both exams are comprehensive in nature and include a full dilated retina examination.    The major difference between a medical exam and routine exam in our office  is that with a routine exam, you will receive a prescription for glasses at the same time but with a medical exam you will not. 

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We use a medical dilated exam to determine the health of your eyes and to determine if you need an updated glasses prescription.  We do this because it's possible that the blurry vision patients experience may be due to an underlying issue such as cataracts or dry eye and then the glasses prescription may change quickly or not be accurate. 

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As part of the medical dilated exam, our providers will review with you whether or not a glasses change will benefit your vision.  Then if you would like to come to our office for a new prescription we would be happy to schedule a glasses exam for you.  (Click HERE to learn more about glasses exams). 

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If you have a previously known eye problems, such as cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration then you would start with a medical dilated eye exam. 

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What is checked during a routine exam?

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A routine eye exam is a full dilated eye exam focusing on your medical background and any current visual symptoms.  Your care team will ask you about any medical issues in your family, current medications and any current eye prescriptions will be measured. Your visual acuity will be checked in each eye at multiple distances to see if you are 20/20.  One of our experienced doctors will then determine if your current eye glass prescription is correct and perform a refraction to ensure you are wearing an accurate prescription.    Next the health of your eyes is assessed by checking your eye pressure, pupils, eye movements, and side vision.  Finally, your eyes are dilated and examined for any medical issues.  If any abnormalities are noted, the doctor will recommend in office testing to better understand your condition. 

 

 

How often should I have a routine eye exam?

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Each patient will require a different frequency of visits depending on their age, family history of eye problems, and symptoms. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting a complete eye exam at the age of 40 to screen for any ocular health issues.  It is important to catch any ocular disease early.  Early treatment can help preserve your vision. Talk with your doctor to establish the correct timeline for your visits.

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What ages do we examine?  

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We are happy to examine patients 5 years of age and older.