|  Through the process of reflecting or emitting light, the human eye allows us to see and interpret the shapes, colors, and dimensions of objects in our world. The eye is able to detect bright light and dim light, interpret millions of different colors, and perceive depth, distance, and subtle spatial relationships. As with the rest of our body, overtime and through misuse, the eye may become damaged and good vision may be compromised. It’s important to maintain proper eye health through regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Vistar Eye Center offers comprehensive eye exams, both general and dilated, for patients of all ages. General Eye Exams A comprehensive general eye examination involves a series of tests administered by one of our experienced ophthalmologists or optometrists to assess your level of vision and detect any abnormalities, misalignments, or diseases, such as glaucoma, if present. And because sight can change, general eye examinations are also performed to make sure that a patient with glasses or contacts continues to benefit from their current prescription. Some of the basic tests that your Vistar eye exam center will perform include: - Slit-Lamp Test, for detecting infection and disease, and examining the entire structure of the eye
- Puff Test, for detecting signs of glaucoma, a disease that causes nerve and vision loss
- Cover Test, for detecting depth perception and binocular vision
- Refraction Test, for determining the prescription level of a patient
- Dilation Test, for detecting any irregularities that may be present on the inside of the eye
Dilated Eye Exams A comprehensive dilated eye exam is performed by your Vistar eye doctor in order to look for common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs. In a dilated eye exam, the patients eyes are dilated with special eye drops. This allows the pupils to widen, giving your eye doctor a clearer view of the retina and the optic nerve. Some of the basic tests involved in a dilated eye exam include: - Tonometry Test, which measures eye pressure
- Visual Field Test, which measure your side, or peripheral vision
- Visual Acuity Test, which measures your distance vision
What to Bring to Your Comprehensive Eye Exam We recommend you bring the following with you: - Your appointment information, such as the doctor's name, location and appointment time
- An updated insurance card
- If you have one, a referral from your Primary Care Physician with his/her information
- Your medical records
- Your eyeglasses or contact lenses, if you wear them
Common Questions about Eye Exams and their Answers How often should I have my eyes examined?
In general, it is a good idea to get an eye examination once every year. Those with a higher risk of eye issues, such as individuals with diabetes, previous eye trauma, or a family history of glaucoma should have more frequent eye examinations. At what age should my child have their first pediatric eye exam?
Healthy children with no obvious eye or vision problems should have a general eye examination as part of their annual physical exam within the first year of their life, followed by a more detailed pediatric eye exam at the age four or five. How long will the exam take?
A comprehensive eye examination from the Vistar Eye Center will take approximately one hour. Will I be able to drive after my exam?
While most of our patients feel comfortable driving after they’ve had their eyes dilated with drops, you may want to have an adult with you in case you are unsure or uneasy driving while your eyes remain dilated. |