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- Medical/ocular history – Many patients ask why other medical
problems would matter in an eye exam. Because the systems of the body
are all closely interconnected, what happens in one area can most definitely
affect another area (namely the eyes). A small list of systemic illnesses
that can affect the eyes includes: diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension),
heart disease, high cholesterol, arthritis, thyroid disease and cancer.
- Blood pressure testing – Allows us to check for one of the
most common chronic diseases. High blood pressure is often referred
to as the “silent killer” because it causes no pain, or
symptoms. This is why regular screening tests for this illness are
vital.
- Color vision testing– Vision is the most
important sense we have. 90% of all information is received via vision.
Without adequate color vision, comprehension is slowed down, reaction
time is altered, and quality of life is generally lower. In more
than 100 professions, a color vision deficiency is a significant disability.
- Ocular alignment – Utilizing
variable prism mounted on the phoropter, we can evaluate eye position
and strength of the eye muscles. This allows us to test for eye turns
(strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia). These conditions can be treated
if diagnosed at a young age.
- Pupil testing – Many
disorders of the optic nerve can be detected by testing pupil response.
- Confrontation field testing – A
screening test to ensure that the peripheral vision is adequate.
Peripheral vision can be limited by glaucoma and certain tumors.
- Computerized refraction and keratometry – Computerized
refraction allows us to quickly and easily arrive at a very accurate
starting point for your prescription. In addition, computerized
keratometry allows us to measure the shape of your cornea. This information
is useful in measuring astigmatism, as well as fitting contact lenses.
- Autotonometry – This
is a screening test for one of the most common ocular diseases, glaucoma.
- Autolensometry – Utilizing
a computer, we can quickly and accurately measure your current eyeglass
prescription.
- Subjective refraction – Using the autorefraction
as a starting point, the doctor will solicit your responses to a variety
of different lens choices. This is more commonly known to patients
as “better
A or B, clearer 1 or 2”. It allows the Doctor to
fine-tune the autorefraction and arrive at an accurate
endpoint for your prescription.
- Biomicroscopy – A high
powered microscope is used during this portion of the exam so that
the Doctor can better evaluate the various structures of the eye
(the lids/lashes, conjuctiva, cornea, lens, vitreous, and retina).
This, along with indirect ophthalmoscopy (listed below), are two
of the most important parts of the ocular health exam.
- Indirect ophthalmoscopy – A
head-mounted light source is used along with a high powered lens
by the Doctor to look at the peripheral portion of the retina during
this part of the exam. This differs from biomicroscopy where the
Doctor views the central portion of the retina but can not see out
to the periphery. The two instruments are used together to give the
Doctor a complete view of the retina, along with the other parts
of the eye.
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