Comprehensive Eye Exam in Clearwater, FL
Given the importance of your eyes, annual vision tests are a great idea for both children and
adults of all ages. Which is why at Healing Eye Care, we recommend that you book a
comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor every one to three years, depending on your
age, physical condition, and any risk factors you may face. Even kids, whose academic
performance may be affected by improper vision development, will benefit from comprehensive
eye exams on a regular basis.
What Is A Comprehensive Eye Exam?
While a routine eye exam can be performed by any health provider and serves to determine what prescription is needed for your eyeglasses or contact lenses, a comprehensive eye exam can be performed only by a qualified eye doctor and is far more detailed. At a comprehensive eye examination, one of our expertly trained team members will perform a number of tests to check for eye diseases, catch or monitor any smaller eye or vision problems, assess how your eyes work as a team, and evaluate your individual eyes as an indicator of your overall health. And because we at Healing Eye Care are concerned about not only your eye health but our relationship with you too, we make sure to explain our findings and allow you to ask any questions you may have to ensure you fully understand your results.
Signs You Need An Eye Exam
Ideally, you should have a comprehensive eye exam every year, but in the event you have not, these are some of the more serious warning signs which may indicate you need to book an appointment with us as soon as possible:
● Rapidly worsening eyesight–if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, some fluctuations are normal. But once stabilized, if you notice you are unable to see as clearly as before, it may be time to book an eye exam.
● Headaches–with unaddressed changes in eyesight often come headaches caused by eyestrain. If you find yourself experiencing more headaches than normal, this could be a sign of issues with your eyes.
● Blurry or dark spots/floaters in your vision–any change in your vision is unusual, but this is particularly important.
● Eye injury–if you have incurred any sort of injury to your eye/eyes, it is imperative you book an appointment to check for any long-term damage.
● If you have any other symptoms or believe something is wrong with your eye health, do not hesitate to book an appointment.
● Genetics–having a family history of eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration, you need to be vigilant about your eye care.
● Having a visually demanding job–looking at a screen all day does tend to affect your eyes which will likely lead to the need for more frequent eye examinations.
Additionally, older patients are often at higher risk for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Certain severe conditions can rapidly degrade your eye health with little to no symptoms and result in negative long-term side effects. The bottom line is that early detection means early treatment, which in turn means the possible prevention of both worsening eyesight and worsening health.
How Often Should You Have An Eye Exam?
The frequency with which you should book your comprehensive eye exams depends on a number of factors. For instance:
● Your age and health–children under 3 should have at least one comprehensive eye exam before attending kindergarten to check for any signs of early childhood eye problems.
● Your vision–patients who struggle with poor vision, no matter the reason, should ideally book an eye exam once a year in order to adjust their prescription. If you have no vision issues, you should book a complete eye exam at 40 and then proceed with whatever schedule, if any, may be recommended. At 60 and older, you should book an eye exam every one to two years to detect any potential eye disease.
● Risk factors–if you have a family history of eye disease, experience vision loss, or have diabetes, you will likely need more frequent eye exams.
During your comprehensive eye exam, there are a number of potential tests and procedures
involved. These include:
● Visual acuity test–reading an eye chart with printed letters.
● Eye muscle test–evaluation of eye movements for weakness, control, and coordination.
● Color vision testing–using dotted patterns to identify any color deficiencies.
● Glaucoma screen–examine your inner eye by dilating your pupils and measuring your eyes’ internal pressure.
● Visual field test–measure field of vision without any eye movement.
● Slit-lamp examination–use a microscope to light the front area of the eye to examine the iris, fluid chambers, cornea, lens, iris, lashes, and eyelids.
● Refraction Assessment–use interchanging lenses to determine your prescription.
● Retinal examination-evaluates the retinal tissue that lines the back of the eye.
What To Expect During
My Eye Exam
Book Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Today
Contact Healing Eye Care at (727) 531-6956 or email us at info@healingeyecare.com to get a
jump start on your eye health as soon as possible. No matter the results our professional optometry team is outfitted and experienced with complex cases, pediatric eye exams, as well as many other issues such as diabetes, glaucoma, dry eyes, and more.
Where We Take Your Vision
Beyond 20/20!
info@healingeyecare.com
Phone
(727)531-6956
Text Message
(727)531-6956
Address
3001 Eastland Blvd Ste 4
Clearwater, FL 33761