Eye Exams

Since many eye diseases and conditions, like glaucoma, are difficult or impossible to detect in their early stages, it’s important for you to visit Atlantic Eye Consultants, for regular eye exams. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist determines if you need a new prescription or an update to your current one. The office has locations in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Titusville, Rockledge, and Palm Bay, Florida. Call the office nearest you or reach out online to schedule an appointment.

What is an eye exam?

Comprehensive eye exams are an important part of keeping up with your vision needs and eye health. Eye exams involve multiple tests for your visual acuity and evaluate the health of your eyes. These appointments are also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions that you have pertaining to your vision and eye health. 

Regular eye exams ensure that your prescription is up-to-date and that you’re satisfied with your contact lenses or glasses. They are also necessary for preventing diseases of the eye and catching them early so that you can begin treatment promptly. 

What do eye exams check for?

Comprehensive eye exams check for and can diagnose many conditions, including:

• Crossed or irregular eyes (usually diagnosed during childhood)
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Color blindness
• Glaucoma
• High eye pressure
• Cataracts
• Cancer
• Diabetes

Even conditions that aren’t confined to the eye are often first diagnosed during an eye exam, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Many conditions come with telltale changes in the appearance of your eye and its blood vessels. Conditions like these and others can have serious consequences if left untreated, so it’s important to get an early diagnosis.

What can I expect at my eye exam?

At your eye exam appointment, you’ll first be asked to complete a visual acuity test. You’ll need to read letters of different sizes from a chart to help detect near- or farsightedness. Next, your doctor tests you for color blindness.

You’ll also take part in a cover test to see how your eyes work individually. Your optometrist tests your eye movement abilities and depth perception. Then, they use a machine called a phoropter to assess your prescription, updating it if necessary. They closely examine the inside structures of your eyes with the use of a type of microscope called a slit lamp. 

These are just a few of the tests that he performs during routine eye exams, but you may need more if he detects abnormalities. If you’re interested in contact lenses, you’ll need to be fitted for them.

None of the components of an eye exam are painful. If you have concerns about your eye exam, your doctor can elaborate on each component for you.

If you’re due for an eye exam, schedule an appointment by phone or online at Atlantic Eye Consultants to keep up on your optic health.