Eye Exams
Eye Exams to Maintain Your Eye Health
Eye exams aren’t just about getting a prescription for glasses or contacts. Regular eye exams help you maintain eye health all year round. At Elk River Eye Doctors, we conduct thorough testing to catch potential problems early, which can help prevent vision loss due to diseases and eye conditions. We also give you the opportunity to ask questions and bring up any concerns you may have about your eyes. We are your partners in eye health, and we are here to help enrich your vision in whatever way we can.
What to Expect at Your Eye Exam
Our goal at your eye exam is to gain a comprehensive understanding of your eye health. To begin, we’ll ask about your personal and family vision history and if you’ve been having any eye problems lately. We may also conduct preliminary tests to evaluate your depth perception, color vision, eye muscle movements, peripheral vision, and your pupils’ response to light. This helps us tailor your exam to your specific needs.
Other tests we may conduct during your exam include the following:
Visual Acuity
You will read letters of varying sizes on a chart to determine how clearly you can see from a distance.
Fundus Photos
By taking high-resolution images of the back of your eye, we can track changes over time with accuracy and precision.
Refraction
We will assess how light bends when it passes through the lens of your eye. This test is used to determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contacts.
IPL for Dry Eye
While not a test, Intense Pulsed Light therapy offers a cutting-edge solution for chronic dry eye, improving comfort for many patients.
Eye Health Evaluation
Using advanced microscopes and digital technology, we will assess the health of various eye structures and surrounding tissues, checking for diseases and other potential problems.
OCT (3-D Eye Exam)
This advanced imaging technology provides a detailed, 3-D view of your retina, helping with early detection of conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Keratometry
This test measures the curvature of the cornea and is used to diagnose astigmatism and fit contact lenses. It involves looking at a series of images in a special device.
Visual Fields
Using a Virtual Reality headset this test measures the entire area that your eye can see, including your central and peripheral vision.
Following testing, we will evaluate the results, determine any diagnoses, and recommend any necessary treatment plans. You will also receive an updated prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, if applicable. In some cases, we may recommend additional testing or consultation with another doctor.
At Elk River Eye Doctors, we are passionate about helping people with their everyday and long-term vision needs. We always welcome your questions and are happy to help however we can.
Eye Exam FAQs
How often should I have an eye exam?
We recommend coming in for a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. With regular visits, we can keep your vision healthy, detect problems early, and update your prescriptions as needed.
How long does an eye exam take?
Eye exams often take fewer than 40 minutes, but the length of time varies depending on your needs, symptoms, and overall vision situation.
How many eye exams does insurance cover?
Most vision insurance plans cover one comprehensive eye exam per year, but coverage can vary. Check your plan for details.
Can I get an eye exam without insurance?
Yes, we accept patients with or without insurance. Please call us for an estimate of the cost of your eye exam without insurance.
Can I drive with dilated pupils?
Your vision may be slightly blurry after having your pupils dilated, and you will be more sensitive to light. Some people find that wearing a good pair of sunglasses enables them to drive comfortably, while others prefer to have someone else drive them. We encourage you to do what feels most comfortable for you.
