What is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
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A comprehensive eye exam involves more than just a vision screening to determine whether you need glasses. The comprehensive eye care specialists at Rocky Mountain Eye Center use a variety of tests and procedures to evaluate all aspects of your vision.
They also check for signs of diseases, such as glaucoma, that may not cause symptoms in their early stages. Many eye problems that lead to vision loss don’t cause obvious signs or symptoms, but a comprehensive exam helps you prevent vision loss with early diagnosis and treatment.
What Tests Might I Need During a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam may include an array of tests that range from simple, such as reading an eye chart, to complex, like using a high-power lens to inspect the miniature structures of your eye.
Examples of tests and procedures the specialists at Rocky Mountain Eye Center perform include:
- Visual acuity tests that measure sharpness of vision
- Screening tests for color blindness
- Cover tests to check how your eyes work together (binocular vision)
- Ocular motility testing to check how well your eyes follow a moving object
They may also check different aspects of your vision, including:
- Central vision: What you see when you look directly at something
- Peripheral vision: The less detailed vision around the edges of the central vision
- Contrast sensitivity: The ability to identify objects of similar tones, such as facial features
- Depth perception: The ability to judge the position of objects, such as the height of a step
- Visual processing: The way your brain interprets information from your optic nerves
Different eye problems affect different parts of your vision. For example, macular degeneration affects your central vision, while glaucoma reduces your peripheral vision.
What Should I Expect From a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
First, your eye care specialist at Rocky Mountain Eye Center carefully reviews your medical history. They ask about your overall health and any vision problems you’re having. They also review eye and health conditions you or your family members may have experienced in the past.
Then, they begin your comprehensive eye exam with preliminary tests, including evaluations of your eye movements and depth perception. They may take more complex tests based on problems they find.
To take the first step toward preventing vision loss, call Rocky Mountain Eye Center or schedule your comprehensive eye exam online today.
