Vision Care and Services
At Pastore-Tran Eyecare, we are determined to help you see at your very best. Our doctors know that comprehensive eye exams at regular intervals are the best way to keep your eyes at their healthiest. Since many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, individuals are often unaware that a problem exists. Diagnosing and treating eye and vision problems early are important for maintaining good vision and eye health, and when possible, preventing vision loss. Because life is a visual experience, it shouldn't be missed because of poor vision or ocular diseases.
For adults and school-aged children in good health, the American Optometric Association recommends comprehensive eye exams every two years. Early prevention of vision problems for children may decrease the unnecessary struggle with reading and learning, frustration, and fatigue. At-risk adults (see below), contact lens wearers, adults over the age of 60 and children who wear glasses should have their eyes examined annually or as recommended by their doctor. Patients at risk include but not limited to the following:
- Those with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of ocular diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
- Those working in occupations that are hazardous to the eyes or highly demanding visually.
- Those taking medications with ocular side effects.
- Those who have had eye surgery.
The optometrist will use professional judgment to decide on what tests need to be done in an exam according to patient signs and symptoms. Otherwise, your comprehensive eye and vision examination will usually include the following:
A thorough patient history is an important diagnostic tool designed to help your doctor understand your current and past health concerns. It helps to determine any symptoms the individual is experiencing, when they began, the presence of any general health problems, medications taken and occupational or environmental conditions that may be affecting you and your vision. The doctors will ask if you are experiencing any eye or vision problems, along with general questions about your overall health. They will also ask about any previous eye or health conditions that you or your family members have.
Visual acuity measurements determine how clearly each eye is seeing. You will be asked to read letters on a chart in the distance and near. The results of this test are written in a fraction form, with 20/20 being termed to express normal vision measured at a distance of 20 feet. 20/20 implies the clarity or sharpness of vision, and does not necessarily mean perfect vision. A phoropter is an instrument used to allow the doctor to determine the lens power that allows the clearest vision for you.
This may include evaluation of visual function and eye health such as depth perception, color vision, eye muscle movements, peripheral or side vision and the way your pupils respond to light. Contact lens wearers will typically have keratometry done to determine the curvature of the cornea, the outer surface of the eye. This helps the optometrist determine the proper fit for contact lenses.
Eye Focusing and Health Evaluation
The eyes must change focus, move and work together in order to get a single, clear image. Therefore, assessment of accommodation, ocular motility and binocular vision will be evaluated to help reveal any problems that keep your eyes from focusing effectively or make using both eyes together difficult.
One of the most essential parts of your comprehensive eye exam is the evaluation of your eye health. Your doctor will examine both the exterior and interior of your eyes. This allows the doctors to check for and identify issues such as dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration as well as systemic issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Your optometrist will also dilate your pupils to get a better view of the internal structures of your eyes. The 'puff of air' test (tonometry) will be performed to measure the pressure within the eye. The pressure reading contributes to helping determine if you are at an increased risk of developing certain eye health issues such as glaucoma.
Once your exam is finished, additional testing may be needed to confirm or rule out possible problems, clarify uncertain findings, or to provide a more in-depth assessment. This will help the doctor determine a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. This may performed in office or sent out to another specialist for further evaluation.
If you ever have questions regarding any eye or vision conditions diagnosed, or treatments recommended, don't hesitate to ask for additional information or explanations from your doctor. At Pastore-Tran Eye Care, we are always willing to take extra time to ensure you leave with every question answered.
Symptoms of emergency eye problems can include (but are not limited to): loss of vision, pain, foreign objects in the eye, flashes of light, "floaters" (little black specks floating across your vision), or injury (chemical splashes, blunt force trauma, etc). If you experience these symptoms, or any other that concern you, please seek care from an eye doctor as soon as possible. You may contact our office and we will do our best to schedule you the same day. If you experience these when our office is closed or after hours, please call the office and follow the phone instructions. If you are calling about a true medical emergency, please call 911 immediately or go to the closest emergency room or urgent care center.
