Annual comprehensive eye exams are an important part of your preventive health care plan. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms. As a result, individuals are often unaware that problems exist. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems are important for maintaining good vision and eye health and, when possible, preventing vision loss.

Eye examinations are an important part of health maintenance for everyone and should be done annually. Adults should have their eyes tested to keep their prescriptions current and to check for early signs of eye disease.

Children’s eye exams are important to ensure normal vision development. Additionally, vision is closely linked to the learning process. Children with undetected vision problems often will have trouble with their schoolwork. Many times, children will not complain of vision problems simply because they don’t know what “normal” vision looks like.

Seeing Is Believing. Get Your Annual Comprehensive Eye Exam.

A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to identify a wide range of problems affecting vision function. At Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region, we use the latest technology for our exams. Our staff has years of experience in diagnosing and treating a variety of eye problems and issues. We are committed to providing the highest level of care to each and every one of our patients. 

Eye exams are the first step in our diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of eye conditions, including:

• Flashes
• Floaters
• Spots
• Retinal Detachment
• Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Dry Eyes
• Allergic Reactions
• Nystagmus
• Photophobia
• Styes/Chalazion
• Subconjuctival Hemorrhage
• Presbyopia
• Conjunctivitis
• Double Vision
• Hyperopia
• Myopia
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Ocular Hypertension

The difference between a vision screening and comprehensive eye exam.

Vision screenings are limited eye tests that help identify people who are at risk for vision problems. These are the brief vision tests performed by the school nurse, a pediatrician, other health care providers, or volunteers.

The eye test that you take when you get your driver’s license renewed is an example of a vision screening.

Keep in mind that a vision screening can indicate that you need to get your eyes checked, but it does not serve as a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam.

A comprehensive eye examination is performed by an eye doctor and includes careful testing of all aspects of your vision. Based on the results of your exam, your eye doctor will then recommend a treatment plan for your individual needs.

Comprehensive Eye Exam Tests

A comprehensive adult eye and vision examination may include, but is not limited to, the following tests. Individual patient signs and symptoms, along with the professional judgment of the doctor, may significantly influence the testing performed.

Patient History

A patient history helps to determine any symptoms you are experiencing, when they began, the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, and occupational or environmental conditions that may be affecting vision. The doctor will ask about any eye or vision problems you may be having and about your overall health. The doctor will also ask about any previous eye or health conditions of you and your family members.

Visual Acuity

Visual acuity measurements evaluate how clearly each eye is seeing. As part of the testing, you are asked to read letters on distance and near reading charts. The results of visual acuity testing are written as a fraction such as 20/40.

When testing distance vision, the top number in the fraction is the standard distance at which testing is done, 20 feet. The bottom number is the smallest letter size you were able to read. A person with 20/40 visual acuity would have to get within 20 feet of a letter that should be seen at 40 feet in order to see it clearly. Normal distance visual acuity is 20/20.

Preliminary Tests

Preliminary testing may include evaluation of specific aspects of visual function and eye health such as depth perception, color vision, eye muscle movements, peripheral or side vision, and the way your pupils respond to light.

Keratometry

This test measures the curvature of the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye, by focusing a circle of light on the cornea and measuring its reflection. This measurement is particularly critical in determining the proper fit for contact lenses and for intraocular lenses (IOLS) used in cataract surgery.

Refraction

Refraction is conducted to determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism). Our refraction fee is $40. This fee may or may not be covered by your insurance.

Eye Focusing, Eye Teaming, and Eye Movement Testing

Assessment of accommodation, ocular motility, and binocular vision determines how well the eyes focus, move, and work together. In order to obtain a clear, single image of what is being viewed, the eyes must effectively change focus, move, and work in unison. This testing will look for problems that keep your eyes from focusing effectively or make using both eyes together difficult.

Eye Health Evaluation

External examination of the eye includes evaluation of the cornea, eyelids, conjunctiva, and surrounding eye tissue using bright light and magnification.

Evaluation of the lens, retina, and posterior section of the eye may be done through a dilated pupil to provide a better view of the internal structures of the eye.

Measurement of pressure within the eye (tonometry) is performed. Normal eye pressures range from 10 to 21 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), averaging about 14 to 16 mm Hg. Anyone with eye pressure greater than 22 mm Hg is at an increased risk of developing glaucoma, although many people with normal pressure also develop glaucoma.

Supplemental Testing

Additional testing may be needed based on the results of the previous tests to confirm or rule out possible problems, to clarify uncertain findings, or to provide a more in-depth assessment.

At the completion of the examination, your doctor will assess and evaluate the results of the testing to determine a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. He or she will discuss with you the nature of any visual or eye health problems found and explain available treatment options.

You can trust our doctors to properly diagnose your current eye problem and offer a treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs. Our eye examinations will ensure that we have the full understanding of the diagnosis and the treatment options available.

Common Eye Conditions

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means you can see better up close than you can at far distances, as shown on the left-hand photograph above. Myopia is caused by the eye being longer than average, so the light that is focused in the eye lands in front of the retina rather than on the retina. Nearsighted glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK are all used to correct vision.

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, means you can see better far away than you can close up. Hyperopia is caused by the eye being smaller than average, so the light that is focused in the eye lands behind the retina rather than on the retina. Farsighted glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK are all used to correct vision.

Astigmatism