What to Expect From Your Exam
During your eye exam, your eye doctor will guide you through a series of tests. Although there may be many tests involved in your eye exam, you can expect it to last just under an hour. These tests may include:
With experienced physicians and convenient locations across California, Total Vision is your trusted location for professional eye exams. Your family's vision and eye health are in good hands with your local Total Vision optometrist.
Frequency of Eye Exams
If you require glasses or contact lenses, you should expect to visit the eye doctor for an eye exam once a year. In addition to checking and updating your prescription, your eye doctor can keep track of the progression of your nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism and quickly diagnose any additional issues.
For those who do not require glasses or contact lenses, the frequency of eye exams is usually determined by age. If you have a family history of vision problems or a chronic condition such as diabetes, it may be advisable to schedule eye exams with more frequency. Your Total Vision optometrist can help you decide on the correct eye exam frequency for your needs.
Reasons to Schedule an Eye Exam
An eye exam is perhaps the most important foundation for maintaining your eye health and vision. Most eye exams will be conducted as a routine part of that maintenance, however the emergence of certain symptoms is a reason to call your local Total Vision practice to schedule an eye exam right away.
In addition to your regularly scheduled eye exams, making an appointment to see your eye doctor when any of these or other unusual symptoms occur can help ensure early diagnosis of eye problems or diseases.
Schedule an eye exam when you are experiencing:
- Blurred or double vision
- Squinting
- Sudden reduction in visual acuity
- Eye pain
- Eyestrain and headaches
- Dry eye
- Spots or floaters
Visual Acuity Tests
To complete visual acuity tests, your eye doctor will measure your ability to see a projected and handheld letter chart to measure your distance visual acuity and your near vision.
Retinoscopy
If an eyeglass or contact lens prescription is necessary, your eye doctor will use this test to get a general idea of what your prescription should be.
Refraction
The refraction test involves looking through a variety of prescription lenses so that your eye doctor can determine your exact glasses prescription.
Specialized Eye Tests
If your eye doctor determines that you may be suffering from additional visual problems or there is a possibility of eye disease, they will perform specialized eye tests to ensure you receive a precise diagnosis and the best treatment possible.
Color Blindness Test
This screening test detects hereditary color blindness but can additionally help your eye doctor to identify possible eye health problems that may affect your vision. This test is not usually done at each examination but will be recommended should your eye doctor find it necessary.
Binocular Vision Testing
Your stereopsis test measures your depth perception. Your eye doctor uses this test to determine how well your eyes work together to perceive the relative distance of objects.
Autorefractors and Aberrometers
In some cases, your eye doctor may employ an autorefractor or aberrometer to help determine your glasses and/or contact lens prescriptions using a focused light on your retina.
Slit Lamp Exam
During the slit lamp exam, your eye doctor will use a binocular microscope to examine the internal and external structures of your eye.
Pupil Dilation
Pupil dilation allows your eye doctor to get a better view of your eye’s internal structures. You will be sensitive to light and may have some blurred vision for a few hours after the exam, but it is a painless procedure.
Glaucoma Screening
Our doctors use the latest diagnostic technology to monitor the various factors that can contribute to developing glaucoma.
