The Importance of Routine Eye Exams

The eyes are constantly working, taking in information and processing it. Unfortunately, our eyes can become injured or diseased without us even realizing it because of this constant work. Here, we will discuss how routine eye exams can help protect your vision and your overall health!

How Often Should I See an Eye Care Professional?

The American Optometric Association recommends that adults have a complete optometric examination at least every two years. This includes a full medical and visual history, refraction to determine your eyeglass prescription if needed, a binocular vision evaluation, tests of your peripheral and night vision, screening for common eye diseases, and tests of your vision after using dilating drops to help determine the cause of your symptoms.

During this evaluation, the eye care professional will determine if any of your symptoms are caused by anything other than an eye problem, such as stress or lack of sleep. Your optometrist can also help you find ways to manage these symptoms so that they do not further affect your vision. As part of this exam, you may be asked questions about your job, hobbies, and day-to-day life. Some of the most common causes for vision loss include eye diseases that occur due to lifestyle factors such as smoking or working with tools or chemicals.

If you already wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, it is recommended that you have a comprehensive eye examination at least once a year. Your eye care professional can help you determine when you should schedule your next comprehensive eye exam based on the health of your eyes at this visit.

What Are Some Tests That My Optometrist May Order During the Exam?

Your optometrist will use several different tests to look for diseases and problems with your visual system. Eye diseases that can be diagnosed or ruled out by these tests include glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Visual Acuity: Visual acuity testing is done to check how well you see at various distances (near and far). This is the first test your optometrist will perform since it is the most direct test of your eye’s ability to process visual information. During this test, you will be asked to identify letters on a wall chart at progressively smaller sizes until you can no longer read them. This is called the “minimum angle of resolution.” Your optometrist then uses this information to determine what your eyeglasses prescription should be.

Refraction: Refraction is a test that determines the appropriate power of your eyeglass lenses. During this test, your optometrist places a device in front of one eye and asks you to look through it at an eye chart or hand-held target.

Schedule an Appointment

Even if you’ve never had eye issues before it is best to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to your visionary health. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Kung at either our East Brunswick or Staten Island location by filling out an online form or calling us.