About Us & What to expect during your exam

While there are some basic eye vision tests common to most eye exams, children and young adults have different vision testing needs than say,  a healthy middle-aged adult, or an adult with a history of eye  problems.

Vision testing equipment ranges from simple tools like the “Big E”  eye chart (Snellen Chart) and a hand-held penlight and eye cover, to  more complex devices that swap lenses in front of your eyes or use  special lamps to view the eye’s structure. A comprehensive eye exam  includes vision testing, and vision testing equipment that is common to  almost all eye exams, but is often tailored to your age, your specific  need, or your individual symptoms. The following are some common tests  you may be given during a routine eye exam.

• Autorefractors are machines that automatically determine the baseline measurement of your lens prescription for your eyes. 
• Eye dilation means your pupil in front of the eye has been opened using pharmaceutical eye drops. 
• Glaucoma testing involves measuring internal eye pressure and a detailed scan of the retina for signs of disease. 
• Retinal photography is new technology that allows for detailed retina examination without dilating pupils.  See content below about why retinal photos are CRUCIAL for your eye exam.
• Peripheral vision testing is the part of the eye exam that tests the “outside” of your vision. This is also a test for glaucoma and the health of your optic nerves of your eye.
• A phoropter is an instrument used to test individual lenses on each eye during an exam. 
• A puffer test is a specific form of glaucoma testing measuring eye pressure (intraocular pressure). 
• Retinoscopy is a procedure using a retinoscope that helps to see if you need a prescription.
• A slit lamp exam is a magnified analysis of your eye from front to back. 
• The “Big E” chart—or Snellen eye chart—is the most familiar type of visual acuity test. 
• Vision Screening: Vision testing and vision screening can each be a window of opportunity for healthy sight - find out how they are different. 
• Vision testing: Vision testing includes vision  testing equipment and procedures that either measure or gauge your  visual ability, or look closely at specific structures of the eye. 

These days, many eye care specialists offer retinal  imaging, but most people are not sure if the service is necessary for them.  Retinal photos provide another way to examine your eye health in a more detailed way.

Retinal imaging is crucial to screen your eyes if you are at high risk for retinal illnesses. It is necessary to get the retinal photos every year the test if you have diabetes, retinal toxicity, macular degeneration, or glaucoma to monitor the disease.  Please note that the test is not a substitute for a regular eye checkup.  It allows a broader and more accurate look at your retina to detect eye diseases early.

Retinal imaging is a painless diagnostic exam that uses a  high-resolution camera to take colored pictures of the back of your eye.  The pictures give your doctor a closer look at the inner parts of your  eye and help them take note of changes to your eye health and vision.  Your optometrist can use optical coherence tomography (OCT),  angiography, or fundus photography techniques to examine your eye.

Pictures of the back of your eye will show your retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve. The images let your eye doctor detect certain eye or  health issues and treat them early to prevent them from becoming severe.  Retinal imaging is non-invasive and appropriate for all ages. Here is why the test is necessary.

With retinal imaging, your doctor can see symptoms of eye conditions  that could not be detected before. Eye conditions such as diabetic  retinopathy, glaucoma, age macular degeneration, and detached retina can be detected with retinal imaging.

All these eye illnesses need quick medical care to prevent vision loss.  Moreover, retinal imaging is a computerized procedure. This means that  any retina-related diseases are automatically examined, diagnosed, and  saved by a computer. This leaves little room for human error. 

Signs of high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes, and some forms of cancer are first evident in the retina. This is well before other signs appear throughout the body. Detecting such health issues early is  vital in treating them. This retinal imaging can mean the difference  between a fast and easy solution and a more widespread, problematic  treatment. 

Retinal imaging uses a computer to examine, diagnose, and store the results of your test. This enables your eye doctor to compare your test results every year during your annual eye exam. This aspect of retinal imaging is important in monitoring treatment outcomes. It also tracks the progress of diseases and notices any irregularities quickly. 

There is no good reason to avoid taking the test during your annual  comprehensive eye checkups. Retinal imaging is fast and painless, and  its benefits outweigh its costs. Think of it as your first line of  defense against numerous different threats to your health.