Caring for your vision is more than just ensuring you can see clearly—it's about safeguarding the health of your eyes and catching potential problems before they affect your life.
Many mistake a quick vision screening for a thorough eye exam, but these two assessments are worlds apart in scope and importance. Let's explore why a comprehensive eye exam at TotalVision is essential for long-term eye health.
What is a Vision Screening?
A vision screening is a brief, basic test typically performed by a school nurse, pediatrician, or other non-eye care professional. Vision screenings focus on determining if your eyesight meets a certain standard, typically using tools like eye charts to measure sharpness of vision (visual acuity).
These screenings are quick and usually limited in scope. While they can help identify immediate concerns like nearsightedness or farsightedness, they do not fully assess your eye health.
Limitations of Vision Screenings
- Not Comprehensive: Screenings only test for visual acuity and don't check for eye diseases or underlying health issues.
- Potential for Missed Problems: Conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy may not be detected, as screenings focus only on how well you can see.
- Not Tailored to Individual Needs: Screenings are general and may not consider specific vision or eye health issues based on your age or family history.
What is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam goes far beyond just checking your vision. Performed by a licensed optometrist, this thorough examination assesses the quality of your vision and the health of your eyes.
At TotalVision, we use advanced diagnostic technology to evaluate your eye health in detail, ensuring a complete picture of your ocular health and identifying any signs of conditions that may affect your vision over time.
What to Expect During a Comprehensive Eye Exam
- Patient History: The exam begins with a discussion of your medical history, including any current medications, past eye conditions, and family history of eye disease.
- Visual Acuity Test: Much like a vision screening, this test measures how well you see at different distances. However, in a comprehensive exam, this is just one part of the process.
- Refraction Testing: Using specialized instruments, our optometrists will determine whether you need corrective lenses and identify your specific prescription.
- Eye Movement and Coordination Tests: These tests check how well your eyes move and work together. Poor eye alignment or muscle control can lead to double vision or eye strain.
- Eye Pressure Measurement (Tonometry): This test helps detect glaucoma, which often has no symptoms in its early stages but can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
- Dilated Eye Exam: By dilating your pupils, our optometrists examine the retina and optic nerve for signs of diseases like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
- Retinal Imaging: We utilize advanced imaging technologies to capture detailed images of your retina, providing a baseline for monitoring changes in your eye health over time.
- Discussion of Results and Treatment Plans: Your eye doctor will discuss the findings with you, offering treatment recommendations if necessary.
Schedule an Eye Exam at TotalVision
Maintaining healthy vision requires more than just addressing immediate concerns; it involves taking a proactive approach to overall eye health. Comprehensive eye exams at TotalVision are an important part of this process, helping you catch potential issues before they affect your daily life.
Whether you’re due for an annual check-up, experiencing changes in your vision, or simply want peace of mind about your eye health, we’re here to help. Visit us at one of our three locations in Newington, Mystic, or , and let our team provide you with the thorough, personalized care you deserve.