Vision Screening and Eye Exams in Arvada
Often, people think that vision screenings and eye exams are the same things, but they are not. Vision screenings, while useful in determining if a person can see well, are not as comprehensive as eye exams. An eye exam checks not only for vision problems, but also for eye conditions, diseases, and more subtle visual errors than a screening can usually detect.
Eye Exams Are for Everyone
Eye exams are beneficial for people of all different ages. Children ages 5 and up can be examined by our optometrists to prevent vision problems. Childhood vision problems are relatively easily solved if caught early but can be much harder to treat later on. Children are also relatively likely to have an undiagnosed vision problem that can affect learning and other parts of life, and their vision changes much more quickly. Common childhood eye conditions are screened for, as well as rarer ones:
- Strabismus - Crossed Eyes
- Amblyopia - Lazy Eye
- Myopia - Nearsightedness.
- Hyperopia - Farsightedness
- Astigmatism - Distorted Vision
- Congenital forms of eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma
Adult eye exams are mainly to screen for the presence of disease and manage any conditions that already exist, such as myopia or hyperopia. It is especially important that older adults visit an optometry clinic regularly because many age-related eye conditions have no symptoms until significant damage has occurred. However, adults of all ages should see an eye doctor regularly because eye diseases can happen at any age:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Corneal ulcers
These conditions are relatively common, but an eye exam also screens for rarer conditions. If any abnormality is detected, additional types of testing can be used to pinpoint the problem.
What to Expect
Eye exams are relatively non-invasive and should not be unpleasant. What to expect depends a bit on which conditions our eye doctor is looking for, but most exams have some features in common:
- Visual acuity screening
- Cover test for eye alignment
- Slit-lamp exam
- Tonometry/glaucoma test
- Pupil dilation
- Refraction testing
The combination of these exams test for a wide range of eye diseases, they assess problems with visual acuity, makes sure that your eyes are working well together, and will determine your prescription (if any). As soon as these exams are performed, our optometrists in the Westminster, CO office will have a good idea of how healthy your eyes are and what kind of prescription you need.
Arvada Optometric Center Offers Complete Eye Exams
At Arvada Optometric Center in Arvada, CO our optometrists offer complete eye exams for patients of all ages, including children ages 5 and up. Our optometry clinic recommends that all people get eye exams from a licensed optometrists at least once a year and we are happy to provide comprehensive eye exams for patients located in Arvada, Broomfield, and Westminster, CO. Call us today at (303) 578-2982.