Adult Eye Care

What are the Benefits of a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Comprehensive eye exams evaluate all aspects of your vision and eye health.
The comprehensive eye exam looks at your eye externally and internally for any signs of eye disease, then tests your vision in a variety of ways.

• External Eye Exam – This is an evaluation of the structures of the outside of the eye.  The doctor will use a microscope to check the health of your corneas, your eyelids and all of the external structures of the eye to ensure they are healthy.

• Internal Eye Exam – This is an evaluation of the retina and optic nerve for eye disease. The doctor typically dilates your pupils with eye drops and reviews photos taken of the inside of your eyes to confirm there is no evidence of eye disease.

• Visual Function and Eye Health – This includes testing depth perception, color vision, peripheral vision, and the response of the pupils to light, as well as an evaluation of eye focusing, eye teaming, and eye movement abilities.

• Glaucoma Testing – Testing for glaucoma involves viewing the optic nerve during dilation to insure it’s healthy and measuring the amount of pressure in the eye to determine the risk for glaucoma.  Additional testing may be indicated if the doctor believes there is significant risk. Eye pressure can be measured in a number of different ways. At SeaView Eyecare, we have retired the “Puff of Air” test that so many patients find to be uncomfortable. Update technology provides a much more comfortable means of assessing eye pressure. 

• Visual Acuity – This is an assessment of how well you are able to see the eye chart. The doctor will check your vision at distance and near to determine if prescription eyewear is necessary.  If necessary, most patients have the option of filling a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve their vision.

Comprehensive eye exams look at your total health history.
Even though you visit a separate office for your eye health, that doesn’t mean your eyes shouldn’t be treated holistically. Your eye doctor will discuss your overall health and that of your immediate family, any medications you’re taking, and whether you have high blood pressure or diabetes. They’ll also want to know if you smoke and how much sun exposure you get. All these factors help the eye doctor properly assess your eye health.

The American Optometric Association recommends an eye exam every two years if you aren’t having any problems and you’re aged 18-60.   After the age of 61, you should schedule a comprehensive exam annually or as recommended by your eye doctor.