An eye exam will help you make sure that your vision is optimized and may detect any eye problems you might have. Annual exams may find early symptoms of eye conditions and reveal vital information about your general health.
Our doctors will treat you and your eyes with the utmost care, patience and respect. They are committed to the use of state of the art equipment and products, and the understanding of our patient's needs. During an examination they are ready to answer any questions you have regarding your eye health and the examination itself. The examination portion of a patients visit usually takes 20-30 minutes but you may be at the clinic for up to 1 hour if special testing such as a dilated health examination of the eyes is required. Often the necessity for additional testing may not be determined until the actual examination is under way.

During the exam we will be testing not only the visual acuity and need for glasses (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia), but also the eyes' ability to work together (binocular function), to track in place and move properly (important for comfortable reading), and the health of the eyes and the visual system.

Retinal Cameras

Using the latest technology available your doctor now has the ability to take digital pictures of the back of your eye (the retinas). He is able to capture, examine and review these images with you during your visit. Photos are stored digitally and create a permanent record of the current condition of your eye. Retinal images are captured in less than a second, nothing will touch your eye, and drops for pupil dilation may not be required. Over the years changes can be detected and measured, alerting your doctor to potential health risks including early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinal tear or detachment.

A fundus camera or retinal camera is a specialized low power microscope with an attached camera designed to photograph the interior surface of the eye, including the retina, optic disc, macula, and posterior pole (i.e. the fundus). [1]

Fundus cameras are used by optometrists, ophthalmologists, and trained medical professionals for monitoring progression of a disease, diagnosis of a disease (combined with retinal angiography), or in screening programs, where the photos can be analyzed later. [2]

Visual Field Testing

What is a visual field test?

A visual field test is a method of measuring an individual's entire scope of vision, that is their central and peripheral (side) vision. Visual field testing actually maps the visual fields of each eye individually. The visual field test is a subjective examination, requiring the patient to understand the testing instructions, fully cooperate, and complete the entire test in order to provide useful information.

What is a visual field test used for?

Visual field testing is most frequently used to detect any signs of glaucoma damage to the optic nerve. In addition, visual field tests are useful for detection of central or peripheral retinal disease, eyelid conditions such as ptosis or drooping, optic nerve disease, and diseases affecting the visual pathways within the brain. The visual pathways carry information from the eye to the visual or occipital cortex in the brain, where this information is processed into vision.[3]

Pupil Dilation / Drops

Under certain circumstances such as a patient having small pupils, a high prescription (over 6.00 dioptres), unusual symptoms (seeing flashes or floaters) or the presence of conditions that block the view into the eye ( I.e. cataracts ), it is necessary to put a drop in the eye that causes the iris muscles to relax and dilate the pupil. Because the drops also affect the focusing muscles the near vision is often blurred as well.
We recommend that people bring sunglasses and to consider having another person to drive if they believe they will be requiring drops. It usually takes an additional 20 minutes for the drop to work and the effect lasts for two to three hours on average. The pupil of the eye returns to normal when the drops wear off. Dilation allows a more complete internal view of the eye and a thorough exam.

       Preparing For Your Eye Exam

Focal Distance:

If you are a computer user or have hobbies or work that requires specific focusing distances (e.g. needle point, fly tying etc.), it would be helpful to measure the distance from your eyes to the object you are focusing on. Sometimes a specific prescription is required for that distance.