Your Eye Health Matters: A Breakdown of Your Eye Exam

Why Regular Eye Exams Are Your Health’s Best Friend

Your eyes reveal so much more than just whether you need glasses or contacts. During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor can spot early signs of serious health conditions—to the point of potentially changing your life. Think of your annual eye exam as a wellness check that goes beyond vision.

Here’s what regular eye exams can detect:

• Small changes in your vision prescription, sometimes before you notice any blur
• Early signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration
• Signs of diabetes, seen through changes in the blood vessels in your eyes
• Signs of high blood pressure, detected during an eye health check
• Clues to autoimmune disorders or neurological conditions that can affect your eyes

The American Optometric Association recommends adults get comprehensive eye exams once a year, depending on age and risk factors. Children should have their first eye exam by age one, with follow-ups as recommended by their eye care provider.

Why Kids Need Regular Eye Exams Too
Children’s vision plays a critical role in their development, learning, and overall well-being. Many vision problems, like nearsightedness or lazy eye, can go unnoticed without a professional exam, as kids may not realize their vision isn’t normal. Early detection is key—issues caught early are often easier to treat, preventing long-term complications. The American Optometric Association recommends that children have their first eye exam by age one, another before starting school, and regular check-ups as they grow. Ensuring your child’s vision is clear and healthy sets them up for success in the classroom and beyond.

Before Your Exam:

• Bring your current glasses or contacts
• Have your vision insurance information ready (if you have it)
• Fill out your medical form before your visit to save you time, listing any medications you’re taking or vision changes you’re experiencing

During Your Visit:

• Visual Fields Assessment: Testing of your peripheral vision or side vision for defects related to glaucoma or other conditions (not performed on all patients).
• Intra-ocular Pressure: A quick, painless puff of air to the eye to screen for glaucoma.
• Retinal Imaging: Pictures are taken of the inside of your eye, which allows the doctor to view the back of your eye, without dilation, to assess the health of your optic nerve, retina, and blood vessels, critical in detecting serious eye and health conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
• Anterior Eye Imaging: Pictures are taken of the front of your eye which, allows the doctor to view the anterior structures of your eye, like the scleral, cornea, and lens, and detect conditions like cataracts
• Visual Acuities and Refraction: The doctor’s technician will show you to a private exam room. Our patented telehealth technology allows independent doctors to perform this portion of the eye exam virtually with the help of an online technician. You will be reading letters on an eye chart to measure how clearly you can see at various distances and look through different lenses to determine your exact prescription. The doctor is available for any questions—allowing us to provide a comfortable and tailored experience just for you.

The process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes beginning to end, leaving with a clear understanding of your eye health and any next steps needed.