We look forward to welcoming you to eyeSMILE! A comprehensive eye exam is an important step in maintaining both your vision and your overall health. Here is what you can expect during your first visit with our Optometrist, Dr. Stacey:
1. What to Bring to Your Appointment
To ensure a smooth and efficient visit, please bring the following items:
Insurance Information: Your medical and vision insurance cards.
Current Eyewear: All pairs of glasses (even sunglasses) and contact lenses you currently wear.
Medication List: A complete list of all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take.
Medical History: Information regarding your general health history, including any chronic conditions (like diabetes or hypertension) and family history of eye disease (like glaucoma or macular degeneration).
2. The Comprehensive Eye Exam
Your entire visit will typically last around 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Stacey will perform a series of tests to evaluate your vision and eye health:
Visual Acuity: Testing how clearly you see at various distances.
Refraction: Determining your exact prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
Eye Teaming and Focusing: Evaluating how well your eyes work together.
Eye Health Assessment: The doctor will thoroughly examine the internal and external structures of your eye to screen for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Dilation (Optional/As Needed): To get the best view of the back of the eye, dilation drops may be administered. This makes your pupils large and typically causes light sensitivity and blurry near vision for a few hours. We strongly recommend bringing sunglasses and arranging for someone to drive you home.
3. Contact Lens Exam (If Applicable)
If you are a new contact lens wearer, or an established wearer needing an updated prescription, additional time and testing will be required to:
Measure the curve of your cornea.
Evaluate your tear film and eye surface health.
Ensure proper fit and training on insertion/removal.
4. Next Steps
At the end of your visit, Dr. Stacey will discuss her findings, answer any questions you have, and provide detailed recommendations regarding your new prescription, vision treatment, plan for vision therapy (if applicable) and long-term eye health management.
A slit lamp is a high-powered microscope used to examine internal and external parts of your eye. The pupils are often dilated and the inside of the eye is viewed using specialized examination technology. We are then able to see early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, hypertension, macular degeneration, diabetes and many other eye diseases. Retinal imaging is obtained by using Optical Coherence Technology (OCT) and is used to screen for and diagnose diseases of the eye, as well as disease that can affect other parts of the body. Many indicators of systemic disease are detected in the retina.
Your peripheral vision can be thoroughly checked with an instrument known as a visual field. We will do this painless procedure if and when it is necessary.
We will discuss the examination findings with you and review all available options to provide you with your best vision and to keep your eyes healthy.