General Eye Care
General Eye
Care
Why Should I Have an Eye Exam?
Comprehensive eye exams are crucial for protecting your vision and overall eye health. During a routine exam, we can detect vision problems and uncover systemic health issues that affect your eyes.
What to Expect for a General Eye Examination
Our thorough eye exam includes:
- A review of your medical history
- Testing your visual acuity to assess how well you see at various distances
- Checking your side (peripheral) vision
- An ocular motility test to evaluate how your eyes move
- A refractive test to determine your vision prescription and overall visual health
- Measuring the pressure inside your eyes
- Examining the front structures of your eyes with a slit lamp
- A detailed evaluation of your retina and optic nerve
In most cases, your eyes will be dilated during part of the exam. Dilation expands your pupils, allowing the doctor to see the back of your eye clearly. Your eyes may be sensitive to light for several hours afterward. If you’re concerned about driving while dilated, please arrange for someone to drive you home.
Eye Examination Guidelines
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following.
Childhood Vision Screening
For children, the Academy suggests vision screenings during infancy, at preschool age, and before second grade. After that, children should continue to have eye exams every two years.
Baseline Eye Exams for Adults
If your eyes are healthy and your vision is good, you should have:
- One comprehensive eye exam in your 20s
- Two comprehensive exams in your 30s
- All adults should have a comprehensive eye exam at age 40. This is when early signs of eye disease or changes in vision often appear. Early detection and treatment are key to preserving your sight.
However, some situations require more frequent exams:
- Eye symptoms: If you experience an eye infection, injury, pain, or sudden floaters, flashes, or patterns of light, call your ophthalmologist immediately.
- Contact lens wearers: See your eye specialist every year.
- Health conditions: If you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease, talk with your ophthalmologist about how often your eyes should be examined.
Don’t Wait Until 40 if You’re at Higher Risk
Some adults should have a complete eye exam sooner, especially if they have:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- A family history of eye disease
After your exam, Dr. Melanie Mihlstin M.D. will advise you on how often to schedule future visits based on your eye health and risk factors. Regular follow-up is crucial, particularly as you age and your risk for eye disease increases.
Older Adults and Eye Exams
If you’re 65 or older, have your eyes checked every year or two. Your ophthalmologist will screen for age-related eye conditions such as:
- Cataracts
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
Always follow the schedule your ophthalmologist recommends to protect your vision and maintain eye health.