Eye Exam Types & ProceduresEye Exam Types & Procedures
Offering Eye Examination Procedures in Southwest Florida
Snead Eye Group Explains Various Types of Eye Exams
Eye exams are your best defense against vision loss and eye diseases. If you’re 40 or over, you should get an eye exam every 1-2 years. If you have a history of vision issues in your family or a chronic condition such as diabetes that could cause eye problems, you may need more frequent eye exams. Whatever your vision care needs, Snead Eye Group provides many types of eye examination procedures in our Southwest Florida offices. Learn more about available vision tests when you schedule an exam. Which procedures we recommend will be determined by your age, health, and other factors.
Comprehensive Eye Exams for Florida Patients of All Ages
When most people hear the words eye exam, a visual acuity test is likely what they visualize. During this test, you will be asked to read rows of letters on an eye chart. As you go further down the chart, the letters get smaller and more difficult to see depending on the clarity of your vision. The smallest letters you can read determines your visual acuity. However, a comprehensive eye exam may include a series of tests measuring how clearly you see, how well your muscles control eye movement, how much you can see in your peripheral vision, how well your eyes differentiate colors, and more. Here’s a basic rundown on other eye examination procedures our eye doctors provide:
Eye Muscle Movement Testing
We may measure how well your muscles controlling eye movement are functioning by having your eyes follow a moving light or pen. Eye muscle movement testing identifies muscle weakness, poor control, or poor coordination issues. Your eye doctor will look for signs of eye misalignments (strabismus or cross-eyes), nystagmus (involuntary or rhythmic shaking of the eyes), and diplopia (double vision).
Confrontation Visual Field Testing
A confrontation visual field test measures your peripheral vision (central and to the sides). We will cover one eye at a time while asking you to respond every time you detect light or movement. Visual field testing may be done manually or using an automated machine with a screen with blinking lights on it. Either way, your eye doctor is trying to determine if your field of vision is impaired in any way.
Pupillary Response Testing
Our eye doctors need to see how your pupils dilate and constrict in response to light. Pupillary response testing tests your pupils’ response and ability to focus on objects both close-up and far away. The doctor will swing a small flashlight or pen back and forth to observe your pupils’ movement. If your eyes cannot stay focused on objects, this test may reveal some neurological issues.
Color Blindness Testing
Red-green color blindness is usually present at birth, but some types of color blindness are caused by vision problems later in life. Color blindness tests show you dot patterns with shapes and numbers in contrasting colors. If color blindness is present, you won’t be able to distinguish these images apart from the surrounding dot patterns. Color blindness could indicate an issue with your retinas or optic nerves.
Refraction Testing
Refraction testing is how your eye doctor determines your exact lens prescription. You will look through an instrument called a phoropter, which has various lenses. You will be shown two different lenses at a time and asked which is clearer. Your doctor will combine these lenses and degrees of vision correction they represent to figure out if you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have blurry vision caused by astigmatism. This allows them to determine the best lens prescription to correct your vision.
Retinal Examinations
We may need to dilate your pupils to get a more in-depth look at your retinas, optic nerves, blood vessels, macula, vitreous fluids, and more. A medicine is dropped inside your eyes, causing your pupils to increase in size. Once your pupils are dilated, the eye doctor will examine your eyes with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, which is basically a powerful lens. It takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes for your pupils to dilate fully, so this test will require additional appointment time.
Slit-Lamp Testing
A slit-lamp test is quick and painless but can reveal so much about your eye health. With the use of a specialized microscope and a slit of light, your eye doctor can diagnose glaucoma, cataracts, detached retinas, macular degeneration, cornea injuries, dry eyes, and more. During this test, you’ll be asked to stare at an object while the doctor takes a closer look at the surface of your eyes.
Contact Us to Schedule Your Next Eye Examination Today
How long has it been since you’ve had an examination of your eyes? If it’s time to schedule an eye exam in Southwest Florida, Snead Eye Group has you covered. We have eyecare and surgical centers in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Naples. Our eye specialists provide routine eye examination procedures and treatment for various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, macular degeneration, and more. Many health and vision insurance plans cover eye exams, as well as allowances for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Contact us today to learn more or schedule your eye exam.