Routine Eye Care

By far the best way to protect the on-going health of your vision is through regular eye examinations.

West Boca Eye center | Routine Eye Care

These routine exams allow for any injuries, disease, or abnormality to be detected at the earliest opportunity and any relevant treatment instigated.

It also ensures that if and when you require vision correction, such as eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, that your prescription is exactly what’s needed for you to best benefit and achieve optimal vision. Ophthalmologists—the name for a medical doctor who specializes in the health of the eyes—will adhere to the legal definitions of conducting an eye exam test and use their professional clinical judgment as to any additional intricacies needed for your situation. Optometrists carry out some of the same services as an ophthalmologist. These are limited to routine eye tests, the diagnosis and treatment of common eye disorders, and the prescription of corrective lenses. For more complex issues they will refer you to a specialist.

How Do I Know if I Need an Eye Exam?

Routine eye exams should be carried out at varying intervals throughout your life. The American Optometric Association provides the following guidelines:

Birth to 2 years: At 6 and 12 months of age
Age 3 to 5 years: Once during this time
Age 6 to 17 years: Before first grade and then annually
Age 18 to 39 years: At least every 2 years
Age 40 to 64 years: At least every 2 years
Age 65 and older: Annually

However, for those considered “at risk”, the regularity of routine eye checks should be increased. In such cases, your ophthalmologist will advise as to how often you should undergo an eye exam. Those considered to be at risk include (but are not limited to) the following:
Pediatrics (birth through to 17 years of age)

A family history of a variety of eye conditions, including myopia (short-sightedness), congenital cataracts, and other genetic or metabolic diseases
Premature birth, low birth weight, supplemental oxygen therapy at birth
Difficult or assisted labor (whether or not associated with fetal distress)
Maternal drug use, smoking, or alcohol use during pregnancy
A high refractive error
Known or suspected neurodevelopmental disorders
Systemic health conditions with the potential for ocular manifestations
Eye surgery or eye injury

Adults

High or progressive refractive error
Taking prescription or non-prescription drugs with ocular side effects
Having functional vision on only one eye
Eye surgery or eye injury
A personal or family history of ocular disease
Wearing contact lenses
Undertaking occupations that are visually demanding or present a high potential of being hazardous to the eyes
Certain racial and ethnic groups

Other reasons for getting an urgent eye examination might include:

Eye strain and/or blurred vision
Eye pain
Red eyes
An increase in floaters
Blind spots
Unexplained headaches
Any other eye-related issue

What Happens During a Routine Eye Exam Test?

Routine eye exam tests are nothing to be worried about. They are pain-free and usually take around 20-30 minutes. If you’re seeing a new eye doctor then the appointment will take a little longer to allow for a full medical history. During the first visit, you’ll be asked questions such as:

Have you any eye problems, past or present?
Do you wear glasses and/or contact lenses?
Have you ever had eye surgery?
Is there any family history of eye problems?
What is your medical history?
Do you take any regular medication?
Do you have any allergies?
Do you have, or is there any family history of, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), or diabetes?

You’ll also be asked about any current vision problems.The doctor will then perform several different tests. These involve checking the internal structures of the eye and measuring your visual acuity to determine if you need corrective lenses or if your current ones need to be changed. Some of the different types of eye exam tests are:

Visual acuity test
This measures the sharpness of your vision. You’ll be asked to read a series of letters at a distance that decrease in size. This tests your far vision. Near vision is analyzed by reading a small, hand-held chart.
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Cover test
This determines how your eyes work together. It’s measured by asking you to focus on an object and the doctor covers one eye and then the other.
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Refraction assessment
This measures how waves of light are bent as they pass through the eye. Errors cause the light not to focus perfectly on the back of the eye and may require some form of correction. The assessment is carried out using either a computerized refractor or a retinoscopy. The latter is where a light is shone into your eye and the doctor measures how light is reflected through the pupil.
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Glaucoma test
This measures the pressure within your eye and involves a puff of air being blown into your eyes. This is the most common method of screening for glaucoma and is known as Noncontact Tonometry as it doesn’t touch the eye. It’s painless but can be a little startling if you’ve not had it done before.
Another option is Applanation Tonometry. If this is carried out you’ll be given eye drops to numb the eye. The doctor will then use a small instrument to touch the cornea.
You’ll also be tested for your ability to distinguish various colors, how your eye muscles work (ocular motility test), depth perception (stereopsis test), undergo a visual field test to determine your overall field of vision, a slit-lamp examination, and a retinal examination. The latter two might involve the use of eye drops to allow the doctor to fully assess the function and interior structures of the eyes.

How Does WEBEC Provide the Best Eye Exam Near Me?

The WBEC (West Boca Eye Center) is led by one of the country’s leading eye doctors—Brent Bellotte MD. Well-known for his cutting edge research in the fields of cataract and laser vision correction surgery, Bellotte determined that his academic-grade clinic should provide a one-stop-shop for patients who demand the very best care for their precious vision.