Comprehensive Eye Exam

A comprehensive eye exam is a critical tool for maintaining healthy vision and detecting potential eye conditions before they become serious. At Westside Eye Center, Dr. Shawn Brittain and our team are committed to providing thorough eye care tailored to your needs.

What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is a detailed assessment of your vision and overall eye health. Unlike a simple vision screening, which only checks for refractive errors (like nearsightedness or farsightedness), a full exam evaluates the health of the eyes, detects early signs of eye diseases, and assesses how well your eyes work together. This exam is essential for individuals of all ages, whether you wear glasses or contact lenses, have perfect vision, or experience symptoms of eye strain or discomfort.

What to Expect During Your Eye Exam

At Westside Eye Center, our comprehensive eye exams include a series of tests designed to assess different aspects of your vision and eye health. Here’s what you can expect:

• Patient History Review – Dr. Brittain will discuss your medical history, family history of eye conditions, and any current vision concerns.

• Visual Acuity Test – This measures how clearly you see at different distances, typically using an eye chart.

• Refraction Assessment – Determines if you have a refractive error and whether you need prescription glasses or contact lenses.

• Eye Muscle and Alignment Tests – Evaluates how well your eyes work together and detects conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes).

• Pupil Response and Peripheral Vision Testing – Checks how your pupils react to light and assesses your side vision.

• Slit Lamp Examination – Uses a specialized microscope to examine the front structures of your eyes, including the cornea, iris, and lens.

• Intraocular Pressure Test (Glaucoma Screening) – Measures the pressure inside your eyes to check for signs of glaucoma.

• Retinal Exam (Dilated or Digital Imaging) – Allows us to examine the back of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels.
  
  

What Can a Comprehensive Eye Exam Detect?

A thorough eye exam can detect more than just blurry vision. Many serious eye diseases develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular exams can identify:

• Refractive Errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia)

• Glaucoma – A leading cause of irreversible blindness due to increased eye pressure damaging the optic nerve.

• Cataracts – Clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which can impact vision clarity.

• Macular Degeneration – A common age-related condition that affects central vision.

• Diabetic Retinopathy – Damage to the retina caused by diabetes, leading to potential vision loss.

• Hypertension & Other Systemic Diseases – High blood pressure and conditions like multiple sclerosis or autoimmune disorders can show early signs in the eyes.

• Dry Eye Syndrome – Chronic discomfort, redness, and irritation caused by insufficient tear production or poor-quality tears.

Annual comprehensive eye exams are crucial for maintaining long-term eye health and overall well-being. Many eye diseases progress silently, and early detection can prevent vision loss.

Your Trusted Optometrist for Comprehensive Eye Exams in Vancouver, WA

Dr. Brittain at Westside Eye Center are dedicated to helping you preserve and protect your vision through personalized, thorough eye exams. Whether you need a routine check-up, have noticed changes in your vision, or require treatment for an eye condition, our team is here to provide expert care.

Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward maintaining clear, healthy vision