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Total Vision Care Starts with Routine Eye Exams

total vision care eye exam

Caring for your vision and eye health is a vital part of taking care of your overall health, so it's essential to have an eye exam regularly. Unfortunately, many people skip this step and unknowingly put their eyesight at risk, despite severe eye conditions that may come up. For these conditions, early intervention is necessary to have effective treatment.

At Campus Eye Center, we take a comprehensive approach to eye health, focusing our Lancaster, PA practice on total vision care. From comprehensive eye exams for adults and children to prescriptions, eye disease diagnosis, management and treatment, we're here for our patients at every stage of their eye care needs.

Routine Eye Exam

Our focus is on total vision care, so we are less concerned about selling you the latest pair of fashion glasses. Instead, we're more concerned about the overall health of your eyes to make sure there aren't any hidden issues that go unnoticed.

Our comprehensive eye exam includes the following:

  • Complete vision test
  • Evaluation for new eyeglass prescription or contact lenses
  • Glaucoma screening
  • Pupil dilation to check for eye disease

If we prescribe glasses or determine you need a new prescription, we'll send that prescription electronically to the eyeglass retailer of your choice. We also now participate with NVA Vision Plan.

When you arrive for your eye exam, make sure you have a list of all the medications you take as well as any pertinent information relating to your family's history of eye issues. Bring your glasses, contact lenses, and prescription sunglasses with you.

FAQs about Eye Exams

Routine eye exams are necessary for taking care of your health, but we understand how they can feel intimidating or scary for some of our patients. Rest assured, your eye exam with us is easy and painless. Here are some frequently asked questions that may ease any concerns you might have and help prepare you for your eye exam.


1. HOW LONG DOES AN EYE EXAM TAKE?

A routine eye exam can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. We will review your medical history during that time, including any drugs or medications you may take. Following the review of your past, the eye doctor will perform various tests to determine your eyes' health. Those tests will likely include an eye muscle movement test, cover test where each eye is covered and uncovered, pupil reaction test, visual acuity test, refraction testing, slit lamp, retinal exam, and a pressure check for glaucoma, among others.


2. WHAT TYPES OF EYE EXAMS ARE THERE?

There are several types of eye exams you may have throughout your life.

  1. Routine Eye Exam: As we explained above, a routine eye exam can range from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the type of vision and eye tests your doctor needs to perform.
  2. Comprehensive: An eye doctor will test your vision for loss or other issues. Your eye doctor will also screen you for potential eye diseases. These exams may take up to an hour or longer, depending on the types of tests your doctor performs.
  3. Diagnostic: After your comprehensive eye exam, your doctor may request that you come back for a follow-up appointment or a diagnostic exam because they think there may be a problem with your eye or eyes. This kind of exam includes additional eye testing.
  4. General Vision Test: Children receive general vision tests at school, and new drivers get them before getting their licenses. Typically, these general exams are just to see if you need more care from an eye doctor. Some jobs will require a comprehensive vision test before starting work.

Eye exams are a necessary part of your overall healthcare needs. Schedule appointments regularly with your eye examination center so you can monitor your eye health.


3. HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET AN EYE EXAM?

Age, preexisting conditions, and family history play a role in how frequently you need eye exams and vision tests. A routine vision test will help detect hidden issues such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy.

An image of black frame glasses over a blurry eye test paper.

For children, it's best to get an initial exam when they are a newborn and once again with each health checkup after. After completing first grade, an eye exam every year or two is best. If you are under 40 with no previously identified issues, an exam every two years is adequate for your continued eye health.

If you're more than 40 years old without problems, an exam every year and no longer than every two years will suffice. After 60, you should have an eye exam each year to monitor any natural vision changes with aging. If you have any preexisting conditions or family issues, schedule your eye exams once a year.

Health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can significantly impact your eyes. If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you should have your eyes examined immediately after the diagnosis. After that initial exam, your eye doctor will likely recommend you have your eyes examined once a year to ensure your eyes stay healthy as you manage your diabetes.

If you take any prescription medications or work on a job where your eyes may be strained, like sitting at a computer for many hours each day, you should have your eyes examined once a year.



4. HOW LONG DO PUPILS STAY DILATED AFTER AN EYE EXAM?

The duration of pupil dilation will vary from person to person, but you can expect your eyes to go back to normal in about four to six hours. If you drive after your exam, your eyes will still be dilated and sensitive to light. Sunglasses will help, but you may want to have someone take you home to be safe.

Dilation is necessary to give your eye doctor a thorough look inside your eye. During dilation, your eye doctor uses eye drops to force your pupil to stay open when exposed to light. Typically, your pupils will shrink when exposed to light, but these eye drops keep your eyes dilated. Dilation gives your doctor the ability to see your retina, macula, and optic nerve.

This dilation process allows for a better and more accurate diagnosis of conditions like tumors, detached retina, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and more.


5. DOES AN EYE EXAM HURT?

Eyes can be sensitive, and the fear of pain during an eye exam is a common worry we hear with our patients. Fortunately, eye exams do not hurt. While the tools used in an eye exam may look a bit intimidating, they will not cause any pain. And remember, you can always ask questions if you have any about the tools we use during your eye exam.


An image of a young child covering their left eye and smiling during an eye test.

6. AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD HAVE AN EYE EXAM?

Eye exams are not just about determining if your child needs glasses or not; they are also about preventative care. You should have your child's eyes examined as a newborn, at about one year of age, with other health exams once a year, and then once more right before kindergarten if they do not have any evident eye issues.

If there are any issues with your child's vision, follow the eye doctor's instructions on how often you should have your child's vision reevaluated. You may have more frequent visits if your child has issues or is at risk of developing eye problems.



7. ARE EYE EXAMS COVERED WITH HEALTH INSURANCE?

Your routine eye exams are likely covered if you have separate vision insurance. However, most health insurance does not cover eye exams. Because each health insurance is different, you may have vision coverage. If you have questions about the specifics of what your insurance covers, you should call the insurance provider and ask them for more details.


8. HOW CAN I PREVENT EYE DAMAGE?

There are several ways that you can prevent eye damage. Regularly wearing sunglasses in the sun is a commonly overlooked way to protect your eyes. It would help if you also had regular eye exams so your eye doctor could closely monitor your eye health over the years.



Visit either of our two vision care offices and see the difference our eye care professionals can make for you.

Campus Eye Center is an exceptional eye center with experienced eye doctors, Ophthalmogists and Optometrists, in Lancaster, PA.
We offer total vision care including contact lenses at either of our two locations.

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