Comprehensive Eye Exams

At Norwich Ophthalmology Group we offer comprehensive exams that cover all aspects of your vision and eye health. We recommend that all patients, regardless of age, have a comprehensive annual exam. In addition to prescription changes, an annual eye exam can provide early diagnosis of eye disorders and diseases that could cause permanent vision loss. Routine eye exams allow a baseline to be created and should something present in the future, the baseline allows for our doctors to notice abnormalities more easily by providing a reference point.

What to expect at your comprehensive exam:

A technician will perform a baseline test of your visual acuity using an autorefractor. They will then bring you to an exam room to ask about your health and medical history. This information will alert your doctor to any conditions that should be monitored closely. This will also help your doctor to determine any preventative eye care measures that are relevant to keep your eyes healthy for years to come.

Your technician will administer eye drops to dilate your pupils and will perform some basic vision tests to check eye alignment and a test of the pressure inside your eyes. High eye pressure may be an indication that you have, or are at risk of, glaucoma.

Your technician may have you wait in the exam room or the waiting room for your eyes to become completely dilated. Once your pupils are dilated, you will be sensitive to light and have difficulty focusing on objects up close. This can last several hours. You should bring sunglasses with you but if you forget, your technician will give you a disposable pair.

Your doctor will review all of the test results and ask if you have a concerns or questions concerning your vision before performing a thorough examination of the outside surfaces of your eyes and eyelids with a slit lamp. They will then use various instruments to look inside your eyes.  This allows your doctor to evaluate the eyes for signs of normal aging and any potential eye diseases, such as cataracts, macular degeneration or retinal tears or detachment.

At the completion of the exam, your doctor will evaluate your test results and have an honest discussion with you about the current state of your eye health and vision. They will explain any visual or eye health problems and will discuss any treatment  options with you thouroughly, as well as, when you should return for a follow up exam.

Your doctor may prescribe eyeglasses or contacts. We have a large selection of eyeglasses in our optical shops in different colors and styles to match your lifestyle and personality. Let us show you how good you can look!