Why Get An Eye Exam?
Having your eyes examined regularly is important for lifelong eye health. Many eye and vision problems have no signs or symptoms, so eye issues may go undetected. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems can help prevent vision loss. Schedule your Eye Exam with Eye Care of La Jolla today and get started on the path to improved eye health!
At Eye Care of La Jolla we use state-of-the-art technology to screen for disease, evaluate potential vision problems, and provide treatment solutions based on your unique vision care needs.
What Conditions Do You Treat at Eye Care of La Jolla?
During your comprehensive eye exam, our team is able to tell if you suffer from amblyopia (lazy eyes), myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). We can prescribe lenses and proper fitting frames in our onsite optical department. With advanced testing and technology we can also determine if your eyes need specialized care for more advanced issues like diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, and more!
What Happens During an Eye Exam?
An eye exam includes many different types of tests aimed at evaluating both how well you see and the overall health of your eye. During your visit, the ophthalmologists at Eye Care of La Jolla will ask you about any issues you may have with your eyesight, including chronic headaches that could be caused by eye strain or other problems. We will also ask about your family history to determine if you might be at risk for specific types of diseases. During the eye exam, the doctor will use a variety of testing methods to evaluate the muscles of your eyes and irises (the colored portion of your eyes), perform a dilated exam to look inside your eyes, and evaluate your intraocular pressure for signs of glaucoma.
How Often Should I Have My Eyes Examined?
Regular eye exams play a critical role in helping you maintain good vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends these guidelines:
- Children should see an ophthalmologist at six months and three years of age. Another visit should be scheduled before entering school.
- Adults should have their eyes checked once while in their 20s, twice in their 30s, and again at age 40. Regular exams based on a doctor’s recommendation are also needed.
- At age 65, adults should begin seeing the eye doctor every one to two years.
- Seniors or those suffering diabetes should have their eyes checked every six to twelve months. Be sure to consult your eye care professional regarding how often you should have routine eye exams.
- People of any age with vision changes or issues should also see an eye doctor any time there are issues with sight.
What’s the Difference Between A Routine Eye Exam and A Medical Eye Exam?
Insurance companies define a routine eye exam as a visit to update eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions, checking vision, or screening for eye diseases. Routine eye exams can also diagnose nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. In contrast, a comprehensive medical eye exam can diagnose cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, or conjunctivitis, among others. Insurance companies may either cover medical eye exams, routine eye exams, both or neither. Check with your insurance company about whether they cover routine eye exams or medical eye exams.
My Child Has Eye Exams In School; Do I Still Need to Schedule an Exam with Your Office?
Yes. Although an eye exam in school can uncover some obvious vision problems that can affect your child’s ability to see at certain distances, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam performed by an ophthalmologist. A professional eye exam looks for more subtle signs of disease or conditions that can affect vision and eye health.
How Can I Prepare for My Eye Exam?
• Remove any eye makeup prior to your eye exam
• Be sure to bring your medical, health, and eye insurance information
• New patients are encouraged to print and fill out medical forms
• Be prepared to discuss any health problems and/or allergies you may have
• What are your previous eye diseases? Have you had any surgeries related to vision or injuries?
• Family history of eye disease
• Prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are currently taking
• List of sports/hobbies in which you participate
For new patients, bring all glasses and contact lenses, your current contact lens prescription or contact lens box or bottle, or previous eye care records including lens specifications.
