Eye
Exams
Periodic eye exams are an important part of preventive health care
Comprehensive Annual Eye Health Exams
Doctors don’t like to describe annual eye exams as routine since you never know what you may find.
As the population in the US ages, more eye disease and disorders are found than in the past. Also, an epidemic of Myopia, or nearsightedness is now upon us in younger age groups due to increased digital device use and the associated constant focus at near.
An increased incidence of cataract and glaucoma is commonly seen at most offices, and in many cases people have no idea that they are suffering from impending vision loss until they are examined.
Unfortunately, even with constant efforts to educate the public, most doctors still see patients who have not had an exam in many years. Many say, “Well I was still seeing OK until my glasses broke.” Some are stunned when we tell them that they have considerable damage from untreated glaucoma. The “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma has no symptoms until major and permanent damage is done.
Periodic eye exams are an important part of preventive health care. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, so you might not know a problem exists. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems can help prevent vision loss. Each patient’s signs and symptoms, along with your optometrist’s professional judgment, will determine what tests your optometrist conducts.
What you don’t see really CAN hurt you. Do you know about our retinal photography service?
Retinal Photography is an important tool that can assist us in the early detection of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, precancerous and cancerous lesions, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. It provides an excellent “behind the scenes” opportunity to get baseline information on your eye health, revealing in excellent detail photos of the nerves and areas surrounding the eye. It aids in diagnosis and can sometimes reveal undiagnosed or difficult vision problems.
We use the Optos Imaging System to acquire photos on every patient.
Patient History
The doctor will ask about any eye or vision problems you are currently having and about your overall health. In addition, a patient history will include when your eye or vision symptoms began, medications you are taking, and any work-related or environmental conditions that may be affecting your vision. The doctor will also ask about any previous eye or health conditions you and your family members have experienced.
Visual Acuity
Visual acuity measurements evaluate how clearly each eye is seeing. Reading charts are often used to measure visual acuity. As part of the testing, you will read letters on charts at a distance and near. The results of visual acuity testing are written as a fraction, such as 20/40. The top number in the fraction is the standard distance at which testing is done (20 feet). The bottom number is the smallest letter size you were able to read. A person with 20/40 visual acuity would have to get within 20 feet to see a letter that should be seen clearly at 40 feet. Normal distance visual acuity is 20/20.
Preliminary Tests
Your doctor will first want to look at specific aspects of your visual function and eye health. Preliminary tests can include evaluations of depth perception, color vision, eye muscle movements, peripheral or side vision, and the way your pupils respond to light.
Keratometry
This test measures the curvature of the cornea (the clear outer surface of the eye) by focusing a circle of light on the cornea and measuring its reflection. This measurement is particularly critical in determining the proper fit for contact lenses.
Refraction
Refraction determines the lens power you need to compensate for any refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism). Your doctor may choose to use an instrument that automatically evaluates the focusing power of the eye. The lens power is then refined based on your input from the lenses that give you the clearest vision.
This testing can be done without eye drops to determine how the eyes respond under normal seeing conditions. However, practitioners will use eye drops with patients who can’t respond verbally or when some of the eyes’ focusing power may be hidden. The drops temporarily keep the eyes from changing focus during testing.
Eye Focusing, Eye Teaming, and Eye Movement Testing
To see a clear, single image, the eyes must effectively change focus, move and work in unison. An assessment of accommodation, ocular motility and binocular vision determines how well your eyes focus, move and work together. This testing will look for problems that keep your eyes from focusing effectively or make using both eyes together difficult.
Eye Health Evaluation
Your doctor may need to perform additional tests based on the results of the previous findings. These tests can help confirm or rule out possible problems, clarify uncertain findings or provide a more in-depth assessment.At the completion of the examination, your optometrist will evaluate all the test results to determine a diagnosis. He or she will discuss with you any visual or eye health problems and explain treatment options.
Supplemental Testing
Additional testing may be needed based on the results of the previous exams to confirm or rule out possible problems, to clarify uncertain findings, or to provide a more in-depth assessment. At the completion of the examination, your optometrist will assess and evaluate the results of the testing to determine a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. He or she will discuss with you the nature of any visual or eye health problems found and explain available treatment options. In some cases, referral for consultation with, or treatment by, other providers may be indicated.
If you have questions about any diagnosed eye or vision conditions, or treatment recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for additional information or explanation.
Content courtesy of the American Optometric Association.
Locally Owned
& Operated
Dr. Rosenak’s Optical Options, Inc. is proud to be one of the few family owned eye care offices remaining in Saint Joseph.
Contact Us
DR. ROSENAK'S OPTICAL OPTIONS
Woodlawn Shopping Center Belt and Beck
2229 North Belt Hwy, St Joseph, MO 64506
816.671.0500
