Drs. Fine, Hoffman & Packer Opthalmologists in Eugene Oregon

GLASSES AND CONTACTS — VISION EXAM

Eye exams are available everywhere, from discount outlets to surgical offices, so the fees can vary widely. Additionally, fees can vary depending upon the type of eye care professional that you are seeing and the type of services that you are requesting.

A basic comprehensive examination should consist of the following:

a review of personal and family health history
evaluation of vision at distance and near
evaluation for the presence of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia
internal and external eye health examination

Why are eye exams important?
Regardless of your age or physical health, it's important for everyone to have regular eye exams.

When an ophthalmologist examines your eyes, he or she is doing more than checking to see if you need glasses. During a complete eye exam, your doctor will not only determine your prescription for glasses or contacts, but will also check your eyes for common eye diseases, make sure your eyes are working together and evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health.

In addition to checking your vision, ophthalmologists also check for eye and other diseases that have no early symptoms, but should nevertheless be treated early. Vision screenings performed by the school nurse or your employer are not the same as comprehensive eye exams.

Who should get their eyes examined?
Eye examinations are an important part of health maintenance for everyone. You should have your eyes tested to keep their prescriptions current and to check for early signs of eye disease. For children, eye exams can play an important role in normal development. Vision is closely linked to the learning process. Children who have trouble seeing or interpreting what they see will often have trouble with schoolwork. Many times, children don't complain of vision problems simply because they don't know what normal vision looks like.

What is the eye doctor checking for?
In addition to evaluating your eyes for glasses and contacts, your eye doctor will check your eyes for eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss. Here are some examples of the conditions for which your ophthalmologist will be checking:

Refractive Error: This refers to your prescription, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Refractive error is corrected with eyeglasses, contacts or refractive surgery.
Amblyopia: This occurs when one eye has a much different prescription than the other. The brain will "shut off" the image from a turned or blurry eye. When left untreated, amblyopia can stunt the development of the affected eye, resulting in permanent vision loss. Amblyopia is often treated by patching the stronger eye for periods of time.
Strabismus: Strabismus is defined as crossed or turned eyes. The doctor will check your eyes' alignment to be sure that they are working together. Strabismus causes problems with depth perception and can lead to amblopia.
Eye Diseases: Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic disease, have no symptoms in their early stages. Your eye doctor will check the health of your eyes inside and out for signs of early problems. In some cases, early detection and treatment can reduce the risks for permanent vision loss.

What is the difference between a vision screening and a complete eye exam?
Vision screenings are general eye tests that are meant to help to identify who is at risk for vision problems. These are the brief vision test performed at schools, workplace or pediatrician's office.

A comprehensive eye examination is performed by an eye doctor and will involve careful testing of all aspects of your vision. Based upon the results of your exam, the eye doctor will then recommend a treatment plan for your individual needs. Treatment plans can include glasses or contact lenses for blurry vision, medical treatment for eye disease or simply a recommendation that you have your eyes examined again in another couple of years!

No matter who you are, regular eye exams are important for preserving your vision for life.

How often should I have my eyes examined?
Eye care experts recommend that everyone have a complete eye exam every one to two years, depending on age, risk factors and physical condition.

Children without symptoms and who are at low risk for eye problems should have their eyes screened by six months of age, then at age three and again at the start of school. Risk-free children should then have their eyes examined every one to two years.

Often, children who wear eyeglasses and/or contacts need to be seen annually to keep their prescriptions current.

Adults should have an eye exam every one to 2 years up to age 40, depending on visual change and health. Adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders should be seen annually. Many diseases can have an impact on the health of your eyes. Adults 40 and older should have their eyes checked every one to two years to check for common age-related eye problems such as presbyopia.

Because the risk of eye disease continues to increase with advancing age adults over 60 should be seen annually.

Some things to look for in school age children with vision problems:

Consistently sitting too close to the TV or holding a book to close
Losing his place while reading
Using a finger to follow along while reading
Squinting
Tilting the head to see better
Frequently rubbing their eyes
Sensitivity to light
Excessive tearing
Closing one eye to read, watch TV or see better
Avoiding activities which require near vision, such as reading or homework, or distance vision, such as participating in sports or other recreational activities
Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
Receiving lower grades than usual

Schedule your vision exam by calling 541-687-2110 today!

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Commonly Asked Questions

How often should I have an eye exam?
Children - Six months of age, three years old, before starting school, and every two years after. If your child wears glasses or contacts, they should have an exam yearly.
Adults - Every one to two years up to age 40. Adults with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other disorders should be seen annually. Adults over 60 should be seen annually.