What is an eye exam?
Biennial eye exams are vital to preserving your vision health and maintaining a high quality of life. At Clewner & Kelly Eye Center, comprehensive eye wellness assessments comprise many important testing procedures that allow our team to examine your full eye health. This is quite important as several serious, vision-threatening issues, like glaucoma and other eye diseases, present no initial warning signs or symptoms. Ensure your ocular health by scheduling biennial appointments with our skilled vision team. It is especially important to see an eye doctor if it has been more than 24 months since your most recent comprehensive assessment or if you have detected any problems with your eyes or ability to see clearly. To have your eyes checked in Boca Raton, FL, please contact Clewner & Kelly Eye Center today.
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Who Is a Candidate for an Eye Exam?
Going for comprehensive eye exams on a regular schedule is essential for all adults and children. This applies even when you haven't felt or seen any symptoms that there's a problem. Men and women who are over 18 and below 40 years old ought to get their eyes evaluated every second year. Men and women in their 40s or later need to plan eye exams every 2 – 4 years. Comprehensive ocular assessments can also uncover other major yet controllable medical concerns, for example, injury to the retina, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Adults need to also remember that it's particularly important to schedule comprehensive eye evaluations for their school-age kids. Statistics have shown that 25% of kids have a vision problem. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), babies need their initial eye assessments as they near six months of age. Children need to go again right before beginning school. We suggest that children have their eyes checked every second year, regardless of whether they have good vision. Children's eye exams are particularly important because of the current significant increase in nearsightedness (myopia). This rise is being caused by kids spending time on smartphones and tablets at an unheard-of rate.
What Are the Benefits of Eye Exams?
Whether you have 20/20 vision or have worn glasses most of your life, eye exams are vital. Eye exams are about more than visual acuity; they ensure your eyes are healthy. Our routine eye exams may include:
- Early detection and diagnosis of eye conditions and changes in sight
- Maintaining optimal vision
- Maintaining eye health
- Effective treatment options
What To Expect During an Eye Exam
Usually, eye exams at Clewner & Kelly Eye Center last around an hour. Your testing will begin with a routine visual acuity test to establish how sharp your sight is. If this test determines that you need prescription glasses and/or contacts, our team will generally then perform refraction testing to figure out what your lens prescription is. Following this, we will do a visual field test, also referred to as a Tangent screen exam, which measures the range of your peripheral vision and assists in uncovering many other eye conditions.
Additional tests, such as a cover test, color vision test, and a slit lamp test, may be performed to assess your eye function and the overall health of your eye structures, like your eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, lenses, and iris. It is especially beneficial to enlarge the pupils with eye drops to thoroughly assess the condition of the retina, retinal blood vessels, optic nerve, and the macula and test for glaucoma.
What Can I Expect After an Eye Exam?
After your comprehensive eye exam is done, someone will talk to you about setting up your next appointment. Your age, testing results, risk factors, and more will help determine your recommended timing between eye exams. Even people who receive healthy results need to continue to have eye exams at least every 2 – 4 years so that if any issues do occur, they will be caught and addressed as soon as possible. You may have to set up a follow-up appointment for further testing or treatment if we find any indications of a potential issue. Remember that if we need to dilate your pupils, you could want to bring an adult who can drive you home following your exam.
Eye Exams FAQ
Are eye exams covered by my insurance?
Most insurance companies will cover the cost of an eye exam, but we encourage all patients to check with their insurance provider to find out the specifics of their coverage. Before performing an eye exam, our Boca Raton team can help you understand your insurance coverage and inform you of any estimated co-pays.
How often should I have an eye exam?
It is recommended that patients between the ages of 18 - 60 undergo an eye exam once every two years. Patients who are over the age of 60 should have routine eye exams more often because of the possible deterioration of vision due to aging. Patients with chronic eye conditions or diseases should undergo eye exams far more frequently.
What does a comprehensive eye exam include?
A comprehensive eye exam performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist will examine the following:
- Visual acuity
- Depth perception
- Color vision
- Overall eye health
- Pupil response to light
Will my eyes need to be dilated?
Whether your eyes need to be dilated during an eye exam depends on several factors, including the purpose of the exam and the health of your eyes. Dilation is often necessary for a comprehensive evaluation of the retina and optic nerve. However, not all eye exams require dilation, and your eye care professional will determine if it is necessary based on your individual circumstances.
What is the puff of air test during an eye exam?
The puff of air test, also known as noncontact tonometry, is a common part of a comprehensive eye exam used to measure the pressure inside your eyes. It can help in the early detection of glaucoma. This test is used to measure the resistance of your eye to the puff of air, providing an estimate of the intraocular pressure.
How should I prepare for my eye exam?
To prepare for your eye exam, bring your current eyeglass or contact lens prescription, a list of medications you're taking, and information about any eye problems you're experiencing. If you wear contact lenses, bring the boxes or details of the brand. Consider writing down any questions you have for your eye care professional. If you're having your eyes dilated and you are sensitive to dilation, arrange for a ride home after the exam.
Ensure Your Vision Health
Generally, people neglect their ocular health until a vision issue arises. But the health of our eyes is so much more than just vision. If you or a loved one needs a comprehensive eye exam in Boca Raton, FL, we encourage you to contact our team for an appointment. Clewner & Kelly Eye Center uses advanced equipment and tests to check your eyes to ensure that any concerns can be found and treated as soon as possible.
