One of the best ways to protect the long-term health of your eyes and your vision is to make sure you attend comprehensive eye exams with your eye doctor. That’s because many eye problems can be detected and treated before they cause symptoms, severe vision problems, or even complete vision loss.   

A comprehensive eye health exam consists of several tests your optometrist uses to assess your vision and eye health to determine if you’re experiencing visual issues or eye disease. These tests range from simple ones, like having you read an eye chart, to complex tests, such as using a high-powered lens to visualize the tiny structures inside your eyes. Your eye doctor will check for the following:  

• Refractive error: nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatism  
• Focusing problems, including presbyopia  
• Other vision problems, such as strabismus, amblyopia, or binocular vision  
• Eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy  

The earlier your eye doctor diagnoses a condition, the sooner treatment can begin, increasing your chance of recovery and preventing further damage to your eyes. 

Many people think all eye exams are the same, but this is not true. A comprehensive eye exam is just as it sounds – it's a careful and thorough evaluation of the different aspects of your visual health. Along with testing to see if you need new glasses or contact lenses, your doctor will assess your eye structures and their respective functions to identify any signs of eye disease, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, which have little or no symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.    

On the other hand, a routine eye exam is primarily used to rule out major vision issues, update prescriptions for both contacts and glasses and uncover specific symptoms that indicate you might have a serious issue that needs further evaluation. Also, unlike a comprehensive eye exam which can take 30 minutes or more, a routine eye exam typically takes around 15 minutes. 

Your eyes act as an early warning system to tell you when something is wrong with your overall health. The following medical conditions can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam:   

• Diabetes  
• Aneurysm  
• Various types of blood, tissue, or skin cancer  
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)  
• High cholesterol  
• Heart disease  
• Lupus  
• Lyme disease  
• Multiple sclerosis  
• Thyroid disease  
• Rheumatoid arthritis  
• Autoimmune disorders like Sjogren's syndrome  
• Vascular disease 

Here's what you can expect when you come in for your comprehensive eye exam at Evergreen Optometry:  

• History & Examination: We will document any medical or family history and current symptoms, then perform several tests to evaluate your vision and the health of your eyes. This may include a visual acuity test (assesses the sharpness of your vision), a visual field test (determines if you have blind spots or peripheral vision issues), a cover test (evaluates how the eyes work independently of one another), depth perception test, and an ocular motility test (tests the movement of the eyes). We will also perform a slit lamp exam (checks the health of the front of the eyeball and detects any abnormalities), pupil dilation &/or retinal imaging (checks for the presence of any internal eye diseases), retinoscopy and refraction (determines your exact eyeglass prescription), and glaucoma testing, (measures the pressure inside your eyes).   
• Treatment plan: After completing your eye examination and reviewing the findings, Dr. Nolasco will recommend a vision treatment plan to address your needs. This may include eyeglasses, contact lenses, or solutions for managing eye disease.   
• Updating prescription: Dr. Nolasco will also update your prescription if you wear glasses or contacts.  

Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Health Exam Today!  

At Evergreen Optometry, we provide comprehensive eye exams in Colorado Springs, CO, to help maintain your vision and overall health. Dr. Nolasco will take an in-depth look into your eye health and visual function and work with your medical doctor to ensure optimal eye health. We will provide a comprehensive visit summary letter to your doctor at the end of your visit! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!