Your eyesight is a vital part of your everyday life, connecting you to the world around you. We often don’t think much about our eyes until something seems off, like blurry text or tired eyes at the end of the day. However, proactive eye care is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term vision.
A comprehensive eye exam is a detailed evaluation of your vision and the health of your eyes. It’s an opportunity for us to provide you with personalized attention and find solutions for your vision needs.
More Than Just a Vision Screening
You might have had your vision checked at school or the DMV, but these kinds of simple screenings don’t give the whole story. A comprehensive eye exam is a distinct and more thorough process that gives us a full picture of your eye health.
The Limits of a Quick Screening
Vision screenings are a useful tool, but they typically only check how well you see from a distance. They are not designed to find complex vision problems or eye health conditions. Because of this, they can miss issues that may need attention.
Why a Full Exam Is Different
A comprehensive eye exam from an eye doctor assesses every part of your eye health and vision. This in-depth look can find problems that don’t have obvious symptoms. It’s a key part of preventative care.
What to Expect During Your Eye Exam
We tailor your eye exam to your health history and visual needs. Here’s a rough outline of what to expect:
Talking About Your Health & Vision History
We’ll start with a conversation about you. We’ll discuss your personal health, your family’s health history, and any vision changes you’ve noticed. This helps us focus on what’s most important for you.
Testing Your Vision Clarity
This part of the exam is probably familiar to you—it’s the classic eye chart. You’ll read letters from a distance and up close. This test measures the sharpness of your vision in each eye and determines what—if any—prescription you need.
Checking How Your Eyes Work Together
Your eyes need to function as a team to see properly. We’ll assess how well they focus, move, and work together. These tests look at depth perception, eye muscle coordination, and alignment.
Look at Your Eye Health
Using a combination of diagnostic imaging and/or other instruments, we’ll examine the internal and external structures of your eyes. This lets us check everything from the cornea at the front to the retina at the back. It’s an important step in monitoring for any changes over time.
- Dry Eye Check: Many people experience discomfort like burning, grittiness, or redness, which can be signs of dry eye. A comprehensive exam is an important time to diagnose this common condition. Based on what we find, we can discuss alternative dry eye therapies that may help.
Pupil Dilation for a Deeper Look
In some cases, we may use special eye drops to temporarily widen your pupils. This gives us a clearer and wider view of the inside of your eye. It allows for a detailed look at your retina and optic nerve.
Measure Eye Pressure
This is a quick and simple test that measures the fluid pressure inside your eyes. It’s an important check for signs of glaucoma. You shouldn’t feel more than a gentle puff of air.
Eye Exams for Every Age & Stage
Consistent eye care benefits every member of your family, from toddlers to grandparents. How often you should have an exam depends on your age, health, and risk factors. We can help you create a schedule that fits your family’s needs.
Exams for Children
A child’s first eye exam should happen between 6 and 12 months of age. We recommend another exam between ages 3 and 5, and then annually once they begin school. Good vision is important for learning and development.
Exams for Adults
If you are an adult with no vision symptoms or risk factors, we suggest an exam for adults at least every two years. If you have certain health conditions or a family history of eye problems, we may recommend yearly visits. We can help you determine the right frequency for you.
Exams for Seniors Age 65 & Over
We recommend annual eye exams for everyone age 65 and older. This allows us to monitor for age-related eye conditions. These can include cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration.
The Benefits of a Yearly Exam
A regular eye exam is about much more than just updating your prescription for glasses or contacts. It is an important piece of your overall preventative health care. It puts you in control of your vision.
Early Detection of Eye Conditions
Many serious eye diseases can develop slowly without you noticing any changes. Regular exams can help catch these issues early on. Early detection often leads to more straightforward management.
A Window to Your Overall Health
Your eyes can offer clues about your general health. An eye exam can sometimes reveal signs of other health conditions—such as diabetes or high blood pressure—before you notice other symptoms. This makes your eye doctor a key partner on your health care team.
Your Questions About Eye Exams Answered
It’s normal to have questions before your appointment. We want you to feel prepared and comfortable when you visit us. Here are a couple of common questions we hear.
How Long Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Take?
You can expect your exam to take between 30 and 60 minutes. The exact time depends on the specific tests needed to get a full picture of your eye health. We take the time required to be thorough.
Can You Drive After Your Exam?
If we dilate your pupils, your vision may be a bit blurry and more sensitive to light for a few hours. Because of this, we suggest that you arrange for a driver to take you home.
Schedule Your Exam
At Higgins Brothers’ Vision Care, we believe preventative care is one of the most valuable things you can do for your vision. So call our office to book an appointment and let us help you care for your sight.
