Description of a Comprehensive Eye Exam

An comprehensive eye examination is a series of tests administered by an optometrist to assess a patient's level of vision as well as detect any abnormality or diseases such as glaucoma. Patients who have been previously prescribed eye glasses are typically requested to complete a comprehensive eye exam annually.

Slit-Lamp

• An optometrist uses a biomicroscope, commonly called a slit lamp, to examine for signs of infection, disease or other ailment. Shining a light in an eye, the doctor looks through this instrument to thoroughly examine the entire structure of the eye.

Glaucoma Test

• A glaucoma test, also called a puff test, occurs with a puff of air is blown at an eye. This measures the pressure inside an eye for the purpose of detecting glaucoma, a disease that causes nerve and vision loss.

Cover Test

• A cover test is used to detect issues regarding depth perception and binocular vision. While covering one eye, a patient focuses on a distant object. The optometrist simultaneously observes the movement of the uncovered eye.

Refraction

• Refraction is used to determine the exact prescription level of a patient. This test is administered by a patient looking through a series of lenses, stating which lens allows clearer vision. This many be done either manually or with the use of automated machinery.

Dilation

• Dilation, an enlarging of the pupils, occurs when an optometrist puts special drops in an eye. This is done so the doctor may more easily look inside of an eye to detect any irregularities.