What Can a Comprehensive Eye Exam Detect?

The eyes are windows that provide a view of the body’s nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Doctors can often detect the first signs of various diseases by examining the eyes. A comprehensive eye exam checks more than vision; it covers the entire eye health.

Optometrists or ophthalmologists conduct several tests and procedures to evaluate vision and eye health. The exam usually takes about one hour. Find out what a comprehensive eye exam can detect.

Eye Misalignment

Eye misalignment can cause vision loss and lead to other conditions, such as eye strain and headaches. During a comprehensive eye exam, doctors can detect eye conditions, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye).

When an eye is misaligned, the brain can suppress images in the weak eye. In adults, misalignment can lead to diplopia or double vision. Early intervention can help to prevent long-term vision loss.

Refractive Errors

A comprehensive eye exam can detect refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. A refractive error describes an eye disorder where an individual is unable to see clearly at certain distances.

The inability to correctly focus on images results in blurry vision. Doctors use a retinoscope to measure an individual’s refractive error. Severe refractive errors can lead to visual impairment.

Retinal Conditions

Eye doctors can detect retinal conditions during eye exams. These are conditions that affect the retina or back part of the eye. Retinal exams are often accompanied by imaging tests.

Digital imaging allows doctors to obtain high-resolution images of the inner eye. They can check for conditions such as detached retina, macular degeneration, and diabetes.

Optic Nerve Diseases

A comprehensive eye exam is helpful for detection of optic nerve conditions. During the exam, doctors often use a flashlight to check the reaction to light stimulation. They can detect optic nerve damage, severe macular degeneration, retinal disease, glaucoma, retinal detachment, Ischemic optic disease, and optic neuritis.

Glaucoma

Various tests can help to check fluid pressure in the eyes. A comprehensive eye exam can determine if you have glaucoma. Tonometry and ophthalmoscopy are the two most common glaucoma tests.

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Regular eye exams are essential to check if you have the disease that often causes blindness.

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and dry eyes. It is a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Vitamin A deficiency eyes fail to produce adequate moisture to remain lubricated.

Low vitamin A affects the production of certain pigments that help the retina to function properly. Doctors can detect the deficiency during a comprehensive eye exam.

Health Conditions

Doctors can detect multiple disorders and diseases during a comprehensive eye exam. They include aneurysms, brain tumors, various cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, lupus, and Lyme disease.

The exam can also reveal multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, sickle cell disease, and sexually transmitted diseases. Other diseases are thyroid disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, vascular disease, and stroke.

Routine comprehensive eye exams are essential for early diagnosis of many eye and health conditions. If doctors detect signs of disease during an eye exam, they may recommend further tests or specialized treatment.

For more on what a comprehensive eye exam can detect, visit Lone Star Vision. Our offices are in Plano and Celina, Texas. Call us at (972) 378-4104 or (972) 382-2020 to schedule an appointment today.