What You Should Know About Specialized Eye Exams

​Eye exams are a vital way to maintain good vision and overall health. A vision test is not the same thing as a comprehensive eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam is needed to monitor the overall health of your eyes and detect any problems. Certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma, do not usually cause symptoms early. But the disease can be diagnosed through certain tests. 
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Early diagnosis of an eye disease may help prevent vision loss and slow the progression of the disease. There are several specialized eye exams that may be helpful. 

When Do You Need Specialized Eye Exams?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, by the age of 40, all adults should have a complete eye exam, which may include some of the specialized eye tests below. A comprehensive eye exam helps your eye doctor determine a baseline for your vision and eye health. That way, your doctor will know if any issues are progressing.

Not everyone should wait until they are 40 years old. People that are at high risk for eye disease or vision issues, such as those with diabetes or a family history of eye problems, may need to have a complete eye exam before age 40. It’s best to talk with your doctor to determine the best schedule for comprehensive eye exams. 
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Types of Specialized Eye Exams 

Some of the specialized eye exams may be performed as part of a comprehensive exam to check for any potential problems. In other cases, exams may be done based on symptoms or your risk of certain eye diseases. Below are some specialized eye exams that may be recommended.

• Visual Acuity Test: This test helps measure the clarity and sharpness of your distance and near vision. This is one of the most common tests performed. It may involve looking at an eye chart called a Snellen chart. You will need to identify different letters using both eyes and then one eye at a time.
• Visual Field Test: A visual field test determines how well your peripheral or side vision is. The assessment is performed doing a confrontation field test. The doctor flashes a few fingers in the four quadrants of your visual field while seated opposite you. In some instances, a computerized system may be used that measures your visual field.
• Nerve Fiber Test: A nerve fiber test is a simple procedure that only takes a few minutes. It detects any damage to the fibers around the optic nerves. The test involves using a laser to scan the thickness of the nerves. The procedure is painless and does not require you to have your eyes dilated.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): OCT is a non-invasive process used to analyze your macula, optic disc, and nerve fiber layer. Through OCT, your doctor is able to see an image of the 10 layers that make up your retina. The results can be used to confirm a specific retinal diagnosis as well as to track progressive retinal diseases. Comparisons can be made between tests done over a span of time to monitor progressive diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. The procedure takes about five to seven minutes and is painless.
• Fluorescein Angiogram: Most people may not be familiar with a fluorescein angiogram. This test can be helpful to detect certain problems within your eyes, such as retinal conditions. The test involves injecting a dye into a vein in your arm. The dye circulates throughout your body including your eyes. The doctor then takes a special light to exam your eyes and take images. The dye makes the vessels in the eyes easier to see. The camera does not use x-rays, so it does not involve any exposure to radiation.
• Tonometry: Tonometry is an easy test that measures the intraocular pressure of your eye. It’s an important eye exam to help diagnose glaucoma. Numbing drops are used before the test for comfort.

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The specialized eye tests above can play a critical role in determining eye issues. These tests allow your doctor to identify problems on the surface of the eye, the back of the eye, and inside the eye. If an eye disease is diagnosed, it improves the chances of maintaining your vision if you find it early.

If you have any questions about specialized eye tests or you would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 508-746-8600.