What is a comprehensive eye exam, why do you need one and how often do you need it?

Unlike a vision screening, which your primary care doctor can complete quickly during an exam and measures only visual acuity, a comprehensive eye exam not only measures visual acuity, but checks the eye for conditions like glaucoma. People should get comprehensive eye exams at least once every few years, depending on age and the condition of the eyes.

For children, it’s a good idea to get eyes checked before kindergarten and then again every two years, unless parents notice problems like squinting, problems concentrating on school work or holding devices very close to the face in order to see.

Adults age 20 to 39 with healthy eyes should have a complete exam every one to two years, while those over 40 should have one annually.

A comprehensive eye exam includes a review of medical history and family medical history, a vision test reading what’s called the Snellen eye chart, refraction and other diagnostic tests, diagnostic tests to determine lens correction if necessary, eye focusing and teaming tests, and eye health tests for glaucoma and other conditions. Typically, the exam will include pupil dilation to better view the back of the eye. The eyes will stay dilated for a while and will be sensitive to light.

If you’re still thinking you may not need an eye exam, consider these benefits:

1. It can gather information about internal eye structure.

While a quick vision screening in your doctor’s office may be enough to determine whether you need corrective lenses, a comprehensive exam determines the health of internal structures like your optic nerve, retinas, corneas and other structures, which are all important to your eye health.

2. It can determine color blindness.

You may think you already know you’re not color blind, but did you know that color blindness can show up at any age? Certain diseases can damage eyes as people age, and a comprehensive eye exam always checks for color blindness.

3. It can help children succeed in school.

Did you know that 80 percent of what children learn comes from what they can see? Eye health is so important to success in school, and your child may not tell you – or even be able to tell you – that he or she is having problems seeing. Regular eye exams can catch problems and ensure your child has the tools he or she needs to see well.

4. It can slow the progression of myopia.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming more and more prominent in today’s society. More kids are developing the condition at earlier ages. Children who experience nearsightedness early in life tend to develop other eye problems, like cataracts and glaucoma. You eye doctor can help slow the progression of myopia, especially when it’s detected early.

5. It can detect serious eye problems and other health issues too.

You want to keep an eye on glaucoma, which is undetectable except through an eye exam and can cause vision loss, but did you know that eye exams can also detect other health issues? An eye exam often gives tell-tale signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer.

Payne Glasses is here for you when you’ve had your comprehensive eye exam and are ready to choose some affordable glasses. Contact us anytime with questions!

Sources:

https://atlanticeyeinstitute.com/how-often-should-you-get-an-eye-exam/

https://www.bardoptical.com/5-unexpected-benefits-of-a-comprehensive-eye-exam/

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/importance.htm