A complete eye exam is often overlooked as a key part of a complete health care routine. But an eye exam isn’t just a vision test to see if you or someone you love needs glasses: It’s one of the most important eye care services we offer. At our practice, one of our optometrists in Broomfield can use an evaluation to detect potential issues early, helping you and your loved ones get back to all the things they love.
You may be wondering what makes a complete eye exam different from a quick screening. A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough evaluation of your vision and eye health, performed by an optometrist, which may help detect serious conditions early.
The Difference Between an Eye Exam and Vision Screening
You may have had your vision checked at school, at your pediatrician’s office, at work, or on that happy day when you got your first driver’s license. This is called a vision screening, and it’s different from a comprehensive eye exam. While a screening can be helpful, it doesn’t provide a full picture of your eye health.
What a Vision Screening Can Miss
A screening typically only checks how well you see from a distance. It can miss many common conditions that affect your sight and comfort, including:
- Astigmatism: Blurred vision far away or close up.
- Hyperopia: Difficulty seeing objects up close.
- Eye coordination: Problems with your eyes working together.
- Eye disease: Early signs of eye disease, such as diabetes or glaucoma.
The Value of a Professional Exam
Only an eye doctor can perform a full eye exam. We use specific procedures and equipment to fully evaluate your eyes. This detailed exam provides a complete assessment of your vision status and overall eye health.
What Happens During Your Eye Exam
An eye exam involves a series of tests to check many aspects of your vision and eye health. Each test can give your optometrist important information. It’s a straightforward process from start to finish, and our friendly staff will guide you through the entire exam.
Your Health and Vision History
Your visit will start with a conversation. We’ll ask about any vision problems you might be having, your general health, family medical history, and any medications you might take. This discussion helps us tailor the exam to your specific needs.
Tests for Vision Clarity and Focus
There are a few tests that can measure how clearly you see and how your eyes focus light. We can perform several checks to gain an understanding of your vision.
- Visual acuity (sharpness): You may read letters at a distance and a near chart to measure the sharpness of your vision.
- Refraction: This test helps determine your exact prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. You may look through a series of lenses to find which ones can provide you with the clearest sight.
- Keratometry: This measures the curve of your cornea (the clear outer surface of your eye), which is a crucial step for properly fitting contact lenses if you should need them.
How Your Eyes Work Together
To see a single, clear image, your eyes must work as a team. Your exam may assess eye focusing, movement, and coordination. This can help find issues that may make it difficult to focus or use both eyes together comfortably.
A Look at Your Eye Health
Your optometrist will also examine the physical structures of your eyes. This part of the exam looks for any signs of developing eye conditions. During every comprehensive eye exam, the following procedures are performed:
- Slit lamp exam: A special microscope is used to examine the front and back of your eye, checking for signs of disease or other issues.
- Glaucoma test: This test is conducted using the iCare tonometer, which measures the pressure inside your eye to check for early signs of glaucoma.
Eye Dilation
Eye drops are occasionally used to temporarily widen your pupils; however, not every eye exam will require them. At Visionary Eye Care, the Monaco instrument is used to view the retina during all eye exams. If the optometrist determines that additional dilation is necessary, the process allows your eye doctor to obtain an additional view of the retina (the back of your eye) and the optic nerve (the part that sends signals to the brain). This process is noninvasive, and many people find that the dilation wears off in 4–6 hours, although for some, it may take longer.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter
Routine eye exams are important for people of all ages, from young children to older adults. They help protect your sight and can even offer clues about your overall health. Scheduling an exam with an optometrist is a simple step to care for your family’s vision.
Early Detection of Eye Conditions
Many eye diseases, like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, have no symptoms in their early stages. An eye exam may be able to detect these conditions before any noticeable changes in vision begin to happen. This can mean earlier conversations about how to manage them.
A Window Into Your Overall Health
An eye exam can sometimes be the first place where conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are detected. This connection may make your eye doctor a key member of your healthcare team.
How Often You Need an Eye Exam
Regular check-ups are important for maintaining good eye health. The recommended frequency depends on your age and health risk factors. Following a consistent schedule can help find changes as they arise
Eye Exam Schedule for Children
Good vision is closely linked to learning, so making sure your child has their vision checked is important for their success as they head to school, whether for the first time or as a returning student. That’s why yearly appointments are important for kids, as clear sight helps them succeed in the classroom and during playtime.
- Between 6–12 months: We offer specialized infant screenings through the InfantSEE® program, a public health initiative from the American Optometric Association (AOA) that provides no-cost vision assessments for babies in this age group. These early evaluations help identify potential issues before they interfere with development.
- 2–3 years: If no concerns are found during the InfantSEE screening, we recommend beginning eye exams at age 2 to 3 years old, unless parents notice specific concerns.
- 4–17 years: For children in this age group, yearly exams are recommended.
Eye Exam Schedule for Adults
As you get older, your vision can change. Keeping up with exams helps you adapt to these changes and maintain your quality of life. Adults ages 18 and up should have an eye exam yearly.
Your eye doctor may suggest more frequent exams if you have certain health conditions, a family history of eye disease, or wear contact lenses.
Your Next Steps After the Exam
Once the tests are complete, your optometrist can review the results with you. We want to have a conversation about what they mean for your vision and eye health, taking the time to answer any questions you may have. We want you to leave feeling informed and confident about your care.
Discuss Your Results
Your doctor will talk with you about any vision or eye health issues that were found. This is a great time to ask questions so you fully understand your diagnosis, if you’ve received one. Open communication is a key part of our approach.
Explore Your Treatment Options
If treatment is needed, your doctor will explain the available options. This may include a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses, or a plan to manage an eye condition. When you work with our optometrists in Broomfield at Visionary Eye Care, you get a clear plan for your eye care.
Eye Health for the Whole Family
A complete eye exam is an essential part of your family’s health and wellness journey. At Visionary Eye Care in Broomfield, our team is here to support your vision with clear and compassionate care. Schedule your appointment with us and see how our team can look after all your loved ones.
