Comprehensive Eye Exams
A comprehensive eye exam includes a number of tests and procedures to examine and evaluate the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. These tests range from simple ones, like having you read an eye chart, to complex tests, such as using a high-powered lens to examine the health of the tissues inside of your eyes.
How is a comprehensive eye examination different from a vision screening?
Specialized equipment and procedures, which are not available as part of a vision screening program, are needed to adequately evaluate eyes and vision. Only a doctor of optometry or ophthalmologist can conduct a comprehensive eye and vision examination. These doctors have the specialized training necessary to make a definitive diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Patients at risk include those:
A personal or family history of ocular disease. Belonging to certain racial and ethnic groups. Systemic health conditions with potential ocular manifestations. Occupations that are highly demanding visually or have a high potential of being hazardous to the eyes. Taking prescription or nonprescription drugs with ocular side effects. Functional vision in only one eye. Wearing contact lenses. Eye surgery or previous eye injury. High or progressive refractive error. Other eye-related health concerns or conditions. Patients who have undergone refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) should still have an eye exam every 1-2 years for monitoring of overall ocular health.