When was the last time you had an eye exam? If you can’t remember, it could be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Raleigh Ophthalmology. Our expert eye doctors will thoroughly examine your eyes to ensure your health and vision are at their best.
At your comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will perform a series of tests and examinations designed to screen for underlying eye conditions and identify any abnormalities. These tests include:
A visual acuity test uses a standardized eye chart to measure your vision at different distances. You will cover one eye and read the smallest line visible to you, then repeat the process with the other eye to determine your visual acuity.
An eye movement test can see if your eyes are correctly aligned and your eye muscles are working as they should.
By shining a light in your eye, your eye doctor can see how your pupil responds to the light.
As loss of side vision may be a symptom of glaucoma, your eye doctor will check to ensure your peripheral vision is working properly.
An intraocular pressure test uses a quick puff of air to ensure you don’t have elevated intraocular pressure, as it could be an indicator of glaucoma.
Your eye doctor will use a phoropter to diagnose nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. They will use the device to switch between different lenses and ask you which one looks clearest. It can help them determine your prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
To evaluate your eye health, your eye doctor will administer dilating eye drops to your eye. They enlarge your pupil, allowing for a clear image of the retina and optic nerve.
How often you should schedule an eye exam depends on many factors, including your age, health, and family history.
If your eyes are healthy and you are not experiencing any symptoms of vision problems, you should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once in your 20s and twice in your 30s. Once you reach age 40, you should start scheduling more frequent eye exams.
For ages 65 and older, it is best to have a comprehensive eye exam every year. This is because as you age, you are more at risk for eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
Some health conditions can put you more at risk for developing eye conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain autoimmune conditions. If you have these conditions, you may need eye exams more frequently.
You may be more at risk for eye conditions like glaucoma if you have a family history of eye conditions, and you should schedule eye exams more frequently to monitor for any signs of those conditions.
Nearsightedness or myopia is a refractive error that causes problems seeing well at a distance. This can often occur if the shape of the eye is longer than normal or has a steeper cornea.
This refractive error causes light to focus on the front of the retina rather than the center, making faraway images blurry. Nearsightedness can be corrected through glasses and contact lenses.
Farsightedness or hyperopia is a refractive error that typically occurs when the eye is shorter than normal or has a flatter cornea. This causes light to focus on the back of the retina instead of the center.
Farsightedness makes it difficult to see things up close. Glasses or contact lenses can help correct the refractive error and allow you to see clearly at close distances.
When the cornea is irregularly shaped, it can cause astigmatism. Light will focus on more than one point in the retina, causing blurry vision.
Glasses or contact lenses can help reduce the vision effects caused by astigmatism.
Join us for the ribbon cutting of our new Clayton location and celebrate with our doctors, staff, and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy refreshments and a chance to win one of three exciting gift baskets!
