Eye Exam in Brooklyn, NY
At Brighton Eye, our doctors provide patients decades of experience in the field of ophthalmology. We offer a wide range of services, including cataract surgery. Our office also regularly performs comprehensive eye exams in order to detect, evaluate and treat a multitude of conditions. It is very important that adults over 40 years of age have routine eye exams every year to detect any eye disease. Some patients with risk factors for certain conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, may require more frequent exams.
What to Bring to Your Eye Exam
In order to properly assess each patient’s eyes, we perform a very thorough initial exam. Please allow up to two hours for this first exam. We ask that all patients bring the following to your appointment:
- A list of all medications you are taking and your eye health history
- Knowledge of your family’s eye health history
- All eyeglasses that you are currently wearing and contact lens boxes and containers; bring sunglasses for your trip home
- Current insurance cards
- Photo ID
- A list of questions you may have for the doctor
Visual Acuity Test
When patients arrive for their exam, a medical and vision history will be taken, including family history. We also perform a visual acuity check. In order to properly execute the exam, we ask that patients bring the pair of glasses from their last general eye exam so that both distance and near vision can be checked.
Patients requiring a new prescription can ask to be examined by our highly skilled optometrist first. Contact lens wearers are asked to bring their contact lens containers so that they can remove their contact lenses and have their eyes tested. Our optometrist also fits all kinds of contact lenses, including toric contact lenses that correct astigmatism.
Eye Pressure and Eyelid Test
Following the visual acuity test, the patient’s eye pressure (IOP) is checked using a technique called Goldmann tonometry. If the eye pressure is borderline or high, we perform other screening tests, such as visual field testing, optic nerve analysis, and pachymetry in order to evaluate whether the patient actually has glaucoma. Normal eye pressure is in the range of 10-21, but eye pressure varies by individual.
Some patients with advanced glaucoma may need an eye pressure reduced to ten or less in order to prevent or slow down damage to the optic nerve. Other patients with healthy optic nerves can have eye pressures in the twenties without a problem. It is very important that every individual over the age of 40 have their eye pressure measured every year. A patient can have elevated eye pressure and not feel any symptoms until the damage is done to the optic nerve, resulting in irreversible vision loss. The eye lids are then examined carefully for evidence of any anatomic abnormality that can contribute to eye discomfort.
Slit Lamp Exam
The anterior part of the eye is then examined at the slit lamp, a machine that is, in fact, a human microscope. This is to detect any problems with the cornea, the clear window to the eye, the iris, the part of the eye that gives it color, and the anterior chamber of the eye, the part of the eye between the cornea and the iris. The doctor also determines whether the patient has a narrow drainage that can lead to problems in the future with the pressure of the eye. In some cases, the patient may require a laser procedure to widen the drainage and thus prevent problems in the future.
Dilated Retinal Exam
Finally, the doctor performs the dilated retinal exam. Drops are put into the eye in order to open the pupil, which is the round opening in the center of the iris. This enables the doctor to examine the retina, the nerve tissue behind the eye.
To learn more about our practice, or to schedule an exam, contact us today.