What to Expect

What to Expect

The best way to protect your vision is a yearly comprehensive eye exam. Each eye exam at St. Peter Eyecare Center uses the latest state-of-the-art technology to assess your eye health and vision. The doctor will examine your eyes, answer questions, and discuss your eye care treatment options. In addition to determining your vision prescription, our doctor will check for any early indicators of possible eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and more.

At St. Peter Eyecare Center we feel having the patient understand their eye care is crucial to their overall ocular health and visual satisfaction. For this reason we focus on both in office and at home patient education. Please view our online patient education section and bring any additional questions you have to your exam.

Our goal is to have each patient leave satisfied knowing that they are receiving the best ocular and vision care products and services possible. To help we have answered a few frequently asked questions regarding eye exams below.

Why is it important to have an eye exam?
Children:

  • A child may have rapid vision changes due to their growth.
  • Unnoticed glasses prescription or eye muscle issues can permanently affect a child’s vision if not treated early.
  • Often children can pass “the school vision test” because their eyes are so adaptable; but this can lead to eye strain or induce problems that burden their ability to learn.
  • It is not uncommon to hear a child say “I never knew you could see each piece of grass”. This illustrates how often children simply feel their vision is “normal” when it is not.
  • Many issues that affect the body also can affect the eye such as allergies or even dry skin.
  • Rarely serious health issues can exist that can only be seen with a comprehensive eye exam.

Adults:

  • Many systemic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol issues, and even arthritis can affect the eye. Several systemic diseases are often first seen in the eye.
  • For the earliest detection of ocular diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and macular degeneration. Early treatment is typically key for many eye diseases.
  • Work environments often induce eye strain that is attributed to other factors.
  • Between ages 40-60 a person’s vision can begin to change quickly again, especially up close.

How is an exam at St. Peter Eyecare Center different?
At our office we pride ourselves on using the most advanced equipment in every area of your eye exam and take our time to best determine your specific exam needs. Our exams start with state of the art corneal scans on every patient every year and for our new patients often conclude with a photograph of the inside of their eye. All as part of their routine care; many of these tests are considered "extra" elsewhere. Come and see for yourself the difference at St. Peter Eyecare Center; you can even request an appointment online!

Why is my personal background important?
The doctor will review any current vision problems, your general health, as well as discuss your hobbies and lifestyle requirements to better tailor the examination to your needs.

What can I expect from the overall exam?
In addition to determining your prescription, or how well you see up close and far away, your eye examination will also check to make sure your eyes are healthy. The doctor will test your eye glass and contact lens prescriptions, color vision, depth perception, as well as check for any early indicators of possible eye disorders, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal problems and glaucoma. Many systemic disorders, like diabetes, can be seen by examining the eyes. Ultimately, the elements of your exam will be determined by the doctor based on your unique situation.

Why does the doctor ask me, "Which is better, one or two?"
These questions will be asked during the portion of the examination when your prescription is established. The doctor will ask you to compare a series of lenses to determine which is clearer for you. As the differences become less noticeable, the doctor will be closer to finalizing your prescription. For this reason, if you're having a hard time choosing between the options, it's a good thing!

What is the test with the puff of air for?
At St. Peter Eyecare we know many people do not like that test so we are pleased to offer "no puff" eye pressure testing. This is an important test, as high pressure may be an indicator of glaucoma or other eye issues.

Is it necessary for doctor to dilate my pupils during the exam?
Pupil dilation is not always necessary. The doctor will make this decision during your exam. If required, this painless process is like opening a door so the doctor can fully exam the outer retina. Dilation can also help detect diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and macular degeneration with more detail. Although we recommend routine dilated eye exams, at our office we have the technology to photograph the inside of the eye without the need for dilation in most patients