The CDC states that 93 million Americans are at high risk for vision loss. However, only half of these individuals visited an eye doctor in the past year. Eye care is a serious matter, especially as you age, and not enough Americans see their doctor regularly.
Here’s how to prepare for your appointment.
What Happens During an Eye Exam at Our Vero Beach Location?
During your comprehensive eye exam, the doctor will ask questions about your vision and general health. Then the eye associate will begin the exam by measuring the following:
- Eye health
- Eye pressure
- Visual acuity
The doctor may run several different tests depending on your health history and recent complaints, especially if it’s your first time at the eye clinic. Examples include:
- Color vision testing
- Eye muscle test
- Refraction assessment
If you have corrective lenses, the doctor will also examine whether an updated prescription is needed for your glasses or contacts. Additionally, if you’re currently using eyewear but want to try contact lenses, the doctor will perform a contact lens exam to see if you’re a good candidate. If so, you can undergo a contact lens fitting.
Refractions are mandatory for every eye exam and may include retinal photography. Our V-Eye-P exam is one of the most thorough in the country and can reveal even the most minor issues with your vision.
What Problems Do Eye Exams Detect?
Your knowledgeable True Eye doctor can assess your overall eye health and detect numerous vision problems. We list the most common below.
Changes in Vision
First, our comprehensive eye exam will determine any vision changes and assess each patient for conditions such as:
- Cataracts
- Detached retina
- Glaucoma
- Low vision
- Macular degeneration
If you require surgery for one of these conditions, like cataract surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist for further treatment.
Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are vision problems that make it difficult to see clearly because the eye’s shape prevents light from focusing correctly on your retina. Common refractive errors include:
- Astigmatism
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Presbyopia (losing near-focus vision)
A few simple tests help determine if you have a refractive error.
Problems With Muscles Supporting the Eye
Your eye doctor can also diagnose problems with supporting muscles around the eye. An example is strabismus (eye turn) which can result in amblyopia (lazy eye).
Tumors or Cancer
Finally, should you have tumors or cancer in the eye, your doctor can identify them. This includes intraocular melanoma and retinoblastoma.
Eye Exam Technology Used
Your eye doctor will use the best and latest technology during your exam. This includes:
- Corneal mapping
- Digital retinal imaging
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan
- OPTOS retinal exam
- Visual field testing
Together, these technologies can determine the quality of your vision and detect any eye health issues.
5 Signs You Need to Schedule an Eye Exam
If you’re a healthy adult aged 19 to 64 with no eye problems, you should schedule an eye exam at least every two years. Those who have eye issues or are 65 and over should have routine vision care yearly.
However, if you experience one of these five signs, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
You Don’t Remember When Your Last Exam Was
A general rule is that if you cannot remember the last time you saw your eye doctor, it’s time for a visit. Since millions of Americans have eye problems, most see their optometrist minimally once a year.
You’re Struggling to See
Is it harder to read smaller text, or are you experiencing blurry vision? If you’re having difficulties seeing or experiencing changes in your vision, you’ll want to have a doctor assess your eye health.
While it may just be time to get a pair of glasses, there could be an underlying health issue to address.
You’re at High Risk of Eye Diseases
Some eye diseases are hereditary, so if you have a family history of eye conditions, you want to see an eye doctor more frequently. This is especially true as you age since many eye conditions are degenerative and may progress with time.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, it’s best to have an eye exam for early detection.
Allergies
Common side effects of allergies are itchy, irritated, and dry eyes. These symptoms can cause redness and tearing, affecting your vision. An optometrist will help alleviate your symptoms by providing topical medication such as antihistamines or steroids.
Other Eye Problems
You should consult an eye doctor whenever you have concerns about your eyes or vision. It never hurts to have a thorough exam to ensure you have healthy eyes.
Since many eye conditions don’t present themselves until later in life, if you notice a difference, schedule an appointment.
How to Prepare for Your Eye Exam
Before you make an appointment, you should know we have different eye specialists on staff. They are:
- Optometrists
- Opticians
- Contact Lens Specialists
Doctors who study ophthalmology can perform comprehensive eye exams, diagnose and treat eye diseases, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. They can also perform eye surgery, like LASIK.
Opticians are eyeglass experts. They don’t give eye exams.
If you have a specific concern, let us know so we can schedule your appointment with the correct specialist.
Additionally, if you wear corrective lenses, don’t forget to bring them to your appointment.
Bringing sunglasses with you is a good choice but not always necessary. Not every patient is dilated with mydriatic drops, which allow more light to enter the eye and cause a heightened sensitivity to bright lights. True Eye Experts provides mydriatic “slips” that go behind glasses or fit snugly to the side of the head. You may also have someone drive you to and from your appointment if this concerns you.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the clinic’s location if you are a new patient. Our location is 634 21st St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. You can access the clinic by taking HWY 1 from the north near Wabasso or the south near St. Lucie. From the west in Vero Beach, FL 32966, take 20th St straight into town.
Schedule Your Eye Exam in Vero Beach, FL
There’s no better time to schedule your eye exam in Vero Beach at the top clinic on Florida’s Treasure Coast, True Eye Experts. Our friendly staff and board-certified eye doctors will ensure you get the eye care you need and deserve.
So schedule your eye exam appointment today!
We accept all major vision and health insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Davis Vision, Spectera, Eyemed, and United Healthcare. For more questions about plans we accept, feel free to call and speak with our team before making your appointment.