At SouthWest Eyecare, we strive to provide comprehensive, primary eye care for the whole family. Preventative and routine eye exams are important to maintaining good eye health. Often, eye and vision problems do not have obvious symptoms or signs, but are easily diagnosed by a licensed optometrist. By diagnosing eye and vision conditions early on, our optometrist is able provide treatment options and in many cases restore or prevent vision loss. The American Optometric Association recommends yearly or bi-yearly eye and vision exams, depending on whether you are at-risk or not.
Patient History
A thorough patient history is the very first step in performing a comprehensive analysis of the visual system. Our doctors or staff will ask you questions about any symptoms or issues you are experiencing, medications you are currently taking, any blurry vision, your work environment, and your overall health. Family history and previous eye or vision conditions will also be discussed as well as social history during this part of the examination. Our doctors will consider this information when determining any treatments or recommendations.
Vision Testing
Our optometrists provide a regular visual acuity test as part of a comprehensive eye exam. Our doctors or a technician will measure how each eye is seeing by using a "state of the art" digital eye chart. This wonderful device eliminates memorization and improves accuracy of our results. The results of these tests are portrayed as a fraction, with 20/20 being the standard for normal distance and reading vision. Depending on the results of your vision test, our doctors may prescribe corrective glasses, contacts, or eye exercises.
Eye Function Testing
In addition to vision testing, an eye exam in our office includes testing eye functionality. Our optometrists perform several tests to evaluate depth perception, color vision, eye muscle capabilities, peripheral vision, and responsiveness to light. Several other simple tests are completed to determine whether the eyes are focusing, moving, and working together properly. The test results enable our doctors to diagnose any underlying conditions that may be impairing the eyes ability to focus or work together.
Eye Health
As part of a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist examines the overall health of the eye through a visual examination and tonometry. Our doctors evaluate eye health by visually inspecting the eye and eyelids using magnification and a bright light. To examine the internal structures of the eye, we may dilate the pupils. Increased eye pressure may be an indicator of glaucoma, so we utilize tonometry to measure eye pressure. After completing these short tests, our doctors review the results and discuss any treatments with you. Contact us at (614) 801-2020 today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
Assessment and Plan
The final and most important part of an examination is the actual diagnosis and treatment plan. Our experienced doctors will use videos and pamphlets along with their expertise to help you better understand your diagnosis. Once a detailed and accurate diagnosis is made, we will work with you to develop an affordable treatment plan that will keep you seeing to the best of your ability.