Thorough Eye Exams At Our Hattiesburg Practice

Whether you’re young or old, in good health or not, regular eye exams are essential for maintaining optimal vision and eye health.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will do more than just check your vision and prescribe glasses or contacts. They will also evaluate your eyes for common eye diseases, assess how your eyes work together as a team, and look for signs of other health problems.

A comprehensive eye exam includes a variety of tests and procedures to examine and evaluate the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. These tests may range from simple assessments, like having you read an eye chart, to more complex ones, such as using a high-powered lens to examine the tissues inside of your eyes.

The frequency of recommended eye exams varies depending on your age, risk factors, and overall health. However, most people should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to three years.

Adult Eye Exams

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the following eye exam frequency guidelines:

• Adults under 40: Every two to three years, depending on your rate of visual change and overall health.
• Adults 40–64: Every one to two years.
• Adults 65 and over: Every year.

However, if you have certain risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease, you may need more frequent eye exams. Talk to your eye doctor for an expert recommendation.

Common Eye Tests

Autorefractor

An autorefractor measures how light changes as it enters your eye, helping determine your eyeglass prescription with speed and accuracy.

Eye Dilation

Eye dilation involves using special drops to enlarge the pupils, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the retina and optic nerve.

Glaucoma Test

A glaucoma test measures the pressure inside the eye to assess for glaucoma, a condition that can cause vision loss and damage to the optic nerve.

Ophthalmoscope

An ophthalmoscope is a tool used to examine the inside of the eye, particularly the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels, to assess overall eye health.

Peripheral Vision Test

This test evaluates your ability to see objects and movement outside your direct line of vision, assessing the function of your peripheral visual field.

Phoropter

A phoropter is an instrument used during an eye exam to determine the appropriate prescription for your eyeglasses by allowing you to compare different lenses.

Puffer Test

The puffer test assesses the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) by administering a gentle puff of air onto the eye’s surface.

Retina Scope

A retina scope is a handheld device that helps examine the retina and detect potential eye conditions or diseases by illuminating and magnifying the retina.

Slit Lamp Exam

A slit lamp exam involves using a microscope with a bright light to examine the structures of the eye, including the cornea, iris, and lens.

Snellen Chart

The Snellen chart is a standardized eye chart used to measure visual acuity, helping determine how well you can see at a specific distance.

Questions To Ask

Before Your Exam

• Do you accept my insurance plan’s vision coverage?
• Is payment required at the time of service?
• What will my eye exam entail?
• How long should I expect to be there?
• Will my pupils be dilated?
• What should I bring with me?

At Your Eye Exam

• Given my age, eye condition, and other risk factors, how often should I have my eyes examined?
• At what age should I start to schedule my children for regular eye exams?
• What lens designs and options are a good fit for me?
• Can my glasses block UV rays?
• Do all sunglasses protect my eyes from UV rays?
• What are photochromic lenses, and are they a good option for me?