Eye Exam FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Our Eye Exams

If you’re unfamiliar to the process of comprehensive eye exams, you may be wondering how they work and why they’re such an important preventative eye care measure. Here are some from our San Antonio eye doctor at the Vision Place, Dr. Sandra Palomino.

• How are comprehensive eye exams different from standard institutional vision tests? That routine vision test you receive in school or at the DMV only determines your current visual acuity at distance. A comprehensive eye exam evaluates your eyes in detail to catch even those issues that aren’t yet displaying symptoms.
• What goes into a comprehensive eye exam? A comprehensive eye exam checks your eye health, eye function and visual acuity. Our San Antonio optometrist will also note your medical history and ask you about any recent changes to your vision, eye strain, eye dryness or other symptoms you may be experiencing.
• Why should I have my pupils dilated? Our optometrist in San Antonio typically dilates your pupils during a comprehensive eye exam to get the best possible view of the retina, optic nerves and other internal parts of the eye. This helps us catch macular degeneration, glaucoma and other irreversible eye diseases before they can ruin your eyesight. We also offer an Optos image which gives a panoramic picture of the eye and documents the smallest details of the structures inside the eyes.
• What should I do if an eye disease is discovered? Don’t panic! Even incurable eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma can be treated and brought under control to help you retain optimal vision. Our San Antonio eye doctor will recommend the proper course of eye care.
• What eye health testing methods do you use? A special light called an ophthalmoscope lets us see your eye’s interior clearly, while another instrument called a slit lamp gives us a detailed view of the front of the eye. A retinoscope may be used to observe how your eyes refract light. Another eye health testing method called tonometry checks your eye pressure for possible glaucoma.
• How does eye function testing work? Our optometrist in San Antonio will perform eye function testing procedures to check your depth perception, color perception, eye coordination and tracking ability, peripheral vision and eye muscle function.
• What can I expect from a vision test? A vision test involves reading lines of different sizes on an eye chart so we can see whether you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia. If you do, we can use a phoropter to figure out your corrective lens prescription.
• How often should I schedule eye exams? Children should be examined at 6 months, 3 years and 6 years of age. Adults aged 18 to 60 with healthy eyes should have exams every two years. Seniors and people with eye/vision problems need exams at least once per year.

Contact The Vision Place in San Antonio, TX!

Contact our optometrist at The Vision Place in San Antonio to make an appointment for an assessment of your eyes. Call our office today at 210-764-1113 to find out more information.