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Comprehensive Eye Exams

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What Happens During a Routine Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam at Nova Eye Experts involves several important steps, each designed to give us a complete picture of your eye health. The entire process can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.

Your eye doctor will begin by discussing your vision concerns, any family history of eye disease, current medications, and overall health. This conversation helps them understand risk factors and focus on areas that need special attention. If you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune diseases, we pay particular attention to how these might affect your eyes.

This is the familiar “read the smallest line you can see” test using the eye chart. Our eye doctors test both distance and near vision to determine if you need glasses or if your current prescription needs updating. We also check how well your eyes work together.

If you need vision correction, your eye doctor will determine your exact prescription using a series of lenses.

Your eye doctor or technician will also evaluate how well your eye muscles work together. Problems with eye coordination can cause headaches, difficulty reading, and eye strain, especially during close work like computer use.

Using modern, comfortable techniques, your eye doctor will measure the pressure inside your eyes. Elevated pressure can be a sign of glaucoma, a serious condition that can cause irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

Using specialized equipment and techniques, your eye doctor will examine both the front and back of your eyes. This includes checking your cornea, lens, retina, and optic nerve for signs of disease or damage. We often use digital imaging to document the health of your retina, creating a baseline for future comparisons.

For a complete view of the inside of your eyes, your eye doctor may use drops to dilate your pupils. While this temporarily makes you light-sensitive and affects your near vision for a few hours, it allows your eye doctor to detect problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Throughout the examination, they explain what we’re doing and why. If they find any concerns, they will discuss them immediately and create a clear plan for monitoring or treatment.

At Nova Eye Experts, we believe informed patients make the best decisions about their eye care.

How Often Do You Need to Have a Routine Eye Exam?

The frequency of eye exams depends on your age, risk factors, and overall eye health. These recommendations serve as general guidelines, but we may suggest more frequent visits based on your individual circumstances.

Children and Teenagers

First exam by age 3, then before kindergarten, followed by every two years during school years. Early detection prevents permanent vision problems.

Adults 20-39

Every 2-3 years for those without risk factors. Annual exams recommended for contact lens wearers or those with family history of eye disease.

Adults 40-54

Every 2 years, as presbyopia (need for reading glasses) typically begins and glaucoma risk increases.

Adults 55-64

Annual exams as age-related diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma become more common.

Adults 65+

Annual comprehensive exams are essential due to a significantly increased risk of serious eye conditions.

Special Circumstances

Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of eye disease, or previous eye injuries may need exams every 6-12 months.

During each visit, we’ll recommend your personalized follow-up schedule based on your individual findings and risk factors.

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