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Medical and Visual Case History
An important part of performing a comprehensive eye exam will always include obtaining a detailed medical and visual history. This is important in establishing and documenting all medical and environmental factors that may affect vision.
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Pre-Testing
Every comprehensive eye exam includes a high-technology pre-test which consists of an autorefraction (refractive error estimate), auto keratometry (corneal curvature), noncontact tonometry (eye pressure), and a digital retinal scan of the eye.
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Automated Visual Field Testing
Visual Field Testing is performed to measure central and peripheral vision loss. It is a specialized test, performed when deemed medically necessary for at-risk patients (e.g. such as for glaucoma patients, arthritic patients on Plaquenil use, etc.). Visual Field Testing is also performed on patients that have experienced a cerebral vascular accident (such as a stroke) and who need to have their driving privileges re-certified as required by the Ministry of transportation.
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Binocular vision assessment
For eye muscle coordination, and depth perception when needed.
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Colour vision testing
A color blind test is a device your eye doctor uses to determine if you have a color vision deficiency, commonly known as color blindness.
There are two types of color blind tests:
- Screening tests that can detect the presence of a color vision problem
- More detailed, quantitative tests that can detect a color vision deficiency and determine the type and severity of color blindness
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Detailed examination of entire eye
This portion of the exam is critical in evaluating the health of the cornea, iris, lens and surrounding tissues from the lids to the very back of your eyes.
This part of the comprehensive eye exam involves careful, detailed examination of anterior ocular structures including the cornea, the natural lens, and conjunctival tissues. The process of a slit lamp examination is to evaluate for the presence of cataracts, dry eye, and contact lens induced anthologies such as infections or trauma.
We will examine the retina and underlying blood vessels which may involve dilating the eyes and taking digital images of the retina.
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Visual acuity
The visual assessment of a patients’ corrected and uncorrected vision is documented as a baseline at each office visit. This is recorded for both distance- and near-vision and is monitored for changes over time. Changes here may necessitate a new prescription for eyewear.
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Refractive evaluation
This step of the exam is how the eye doctor determines what prescription you need for your glasses or contacts.
You sit in a chair that has a special device (called a phoropter or refractor) attached to it. You look through the device and focus on an eye chart 6 meters (20 feet) away. The device contains lenses of different strengths that can be moved into your view one eye at a time.
The eye doctor performing the test will ask you if the chart appears more or less clear when different lenses are in place.
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Patient Education
We feel that an informed patient is key to achieving eye health. During the appointment, the optometrists will thoroughly discuss the results of the individual test results and the health and lifestyle implications of the results. Together we will develop a treatment plan that will address the patient’s underlying eye conditions and establish a follow-up care schedule.
This comprehensive eye exam allows patients to feel confident not only that they are they seeing their best but that they are taking the necessary steps in promoting their overall health.
During an eye exam, one of the licensed professional Optometrists at Richmond University Vision Care will use state-of-the-art equipment to perform a comprehensive eye exam which includes the detailed assessment of the retina which can identify vision complications at their earliest stages.
The eyes may be a window to your soul, but also many systemic diseases that may otherwise go unnoticed can be detected during a routine eye exam!