Visual Acuity Testing

This is the standard eye chart test which compares what you can see to what is
considered normal vision. 20/20 means that you can see at 20 feet what a person
with normal vision would be expected to see at the same distance. 20/40 means that
you see at 20 feet what the normal eye could see at 40 feet and thus your eyesight
is less than normal.

Refraction
Refraction is how we come up with the final prescription numbers for your glasses or
contact lenses. You will have at least three different refraction checks. The first is done
by a computerized instrument called an autorefractor before you see the doctor. Later
the doctor will do both an objective and subjective refraction to determine the final
prescription.

Biomicroscopy and Ophthalmoscopy
These two procedures are the eye health testing part of your examination where
we look at both the exposed structures such as your lids, lashes , cornea and iris
and then at the inside of your eye to examine your optic nerves, blood vessels and
retina. Many ocular conditions including cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma,
diabetic retinopathy, dry eye and corneal dystrophies can be diagnosed with these
procedures. Dilating drops may be required during this portion of the exam to enlarge
your pupils for a more thorough examination of internal ocular structures.

Digital Imaging
One of the best ways to determine if an ocular condition or structure is changing or
getting worse is to take a picture for comparison at future examinations. Our new
digital imaging system can capture detailed images of lid lesions, corneal dystrophies,
conjunctival abnormalities, optic nerve disease, macular degeneration, diabetic
retinopathy and many other conditions. We will gladly show you and your family any
abnormal findings that should be followed by digital imaging and of course give you a
full explanation of the condition.

Intraocular Pressure Testing
High eye pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma. In glaucoma, the individual nerve fibers
in the optic nerve die and can produce defects in the peripheral visual field that can
progress to significant vision loss. In many cases this nerve damage is preceded by an
elevation of the internal eye pressure. We check your pressure by first instilling an
anesthetic eye drops and then lightly touching your cornea with a pressure sensing
instrument. Normal pressure ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg.

FDT
In the past, eye examinations have traditionally concentrated on the clarity of central
(straight ahead) vision with less emphasis on the width and sensitivity of our peripheral
(side) vision. A new technology called FDT now allows us to quickly screen our patients
for an abnormalities in the peripheral vision which may be indicators for glaucoma, optic
nerve disease, tumors of impending vascular disease such as stroke. We strongly
recommend that patients over the age of 30 have this testing performed every 3 to 5
years, especially if you have diabetes, frequent headaches, high blood pressure,
nearsightedness, or family history of glaucoma