Master Eye Associates provides comprehensive eye care services for all ages
Master Eye Exam Tests
Thorough and detailed to keep your eyes healthy and provide you the best vision
Eye Care Services Provided by Master Eye Associates
Most, but not all of these tests, are performed during a comprehensive exam at Master Eye Associates
AUTO REFRACTION
This computerized test provides an estimate of your optical prescription. The doctor will use these numbers as a starting point for the refraction.
KERATOMETRY
To measure the curvatures of the cornea and the orientation of the corneal curvatures. This data is used to analyze astigmatism and is used in designing and prescribing contact lenses as well as evaluating the cornea for some corneal diseases.
NON-CONTACT TONOMETRY
- PURPOSE
This test measures the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. IOP should be checked every year because it is crucial to ocular health. If it is high for an extended period of time damage can be done to the optic nerve and this is known as glaucoma.
LENSOMETRY
PURPOSE
Analysis of one's current eyeglasses (optical prescription). This helps to assess the amount of vision change and guides the doctor in the amount of change he/she believes a patient can tolerate in a new prescription.
VISUAL FIELDS
This test checks both central and peripheral vision. This is the best test to get an accurate reading of what you can see in the periphery. This test can detect damage to your optic nerve (glaucoma, etc), or any part of your retina and can even detect some neurological problems in the brain. Often people do not notice problems in their visual field until the problem becomes very bad.
You will hold a "clicker" and look into the machine. You will look straight ahead and see various targets flash onto the screen in your peripheral vision at different locations. You click when you see any of those targets.
RETINAL PHOTOGRAPHY
- PURPOSE
This test takes a picture of the retina including your optic nerve, macula, and blood vessels. It is useful as a baseline to have on file and reference every year at your eye exams and it is a great tool to monitor any existing internal eye diseases or problems.
You will look into the machine at a flashing light and the picture will be taken immediately. No dilation is necessary for most people.
SCANNING LASER POLARIMETRY
- PURPOSE
This machine is a scanning laser that examines the nerve fiber layer of the retina and optic nerve. If the nerve fiber layer is thinner than average, that is a sign of glaucoma or some other optic nerve disease. It is impossible for a doctor to quantify the amount of nerve fiber layer without a scanning laser device.
VISUAL ACUITY
Visual acuity quantifies the level of vision and resolution of the eye. Visual acuity is a function of ocular health so this gives the doctor a specific measurement regarding how your eyes are functioning. It will also let the doctor know how much a new pair of glasses or contact lenses will improve your vision.
EXTRAOCULAR MUSCLE BALANCE TESTING
The extraocular muscles move the eyes around so you don't have to turn your head when looking at something. It is important to make sure they are functioning properly because any problems could indicate neurologic deficits or other problems.
- PROCEDURE
- The doctor will give you a target to follow and he/she will make sure your eyes have full range of motion and that you are able to follow the target with smooth motion.
PUPIL EVALUATION
This test will make sure the pupils are functioning properly because any problems may indicate serious vascular or neurologic disease.
CONFRONTATION FIELDS
This test is also done in order to evaluate the visual field. It is much less comprehensive than the visual field instrument and more likely to miss a small deficit in the visual field but it will catch any major problem.
PHORIA - COVER TEST
This test will show any muscle imbalances present between the eyes.
- PROCEDURE
- The doctor will tell you to look at a target up close and he/she will cover and uncover one eye at a time. The doctor will then alternate covering one eye then the other. You will continue to look at the target and the doctor will watch how your eyes move during the test. A more detailed measurement is performed with prisms to quantify any defect.
COLOR VISION
To evaluate for any color blindness
- PROCEDURE
- You will be shown pages with numbers on them. You have to name which number is on each page and the doctor will evaluate your responses.
STEREO VISION - DEPTH PERCEPTION TEST
To evaluate how your eyes work together
- PROCEDURE
- You will be given 3-D glasses and asked to point out objects which can only be seen in 3-D. The number of objects you are able to see will correspond to a measurement of your stereo vision ability.
NEAR POINT OF CONVERGENCE (NPC)
To measure the amount your eyes are able to converge toward your nose which is important in near vision focusing and reading.
AMPLITUDE OF ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is the process of the eyes focusing in order to read small print. As we get older we slowly lose our accommodative ability. If a young person has low accommodative amplitude there are treatments and lenses which can be prescribed to help them.
REFRACTION
This is the part of the exam when the doctor determines your prescription for glasses.
The doctor will give you choices of lenses and you will let him/her know which is clearer.
SLIT LAMP BIOMICROSCOPY
- PURPOSE
The slit lamp is a high-powered stereoscopic microscope used to view the external and internal ocular structures to check for eye diseases or abnormalities. The doctor will first look at the outside of your eye for things like dry eyes, allergies, blepharitis, or ocular infections and injuries. He/she will then use a magnifying lens in order to look at the internal structures such as your lens for cataracts, your optic nerve for glaucoma, your macula for macular degeneration, and blood vessels for any sign of disease such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
DILATION
Dilation is necessary in order to examine the peripheral retina. Drops are instilled which open the pupil giving the doctor a much larger field of view. The retina is evaluated for any holes or tears which could lead to a retinal detachment and for any nevi (freckles) which could become cancerous.
- PROCEDURE
- Eye drops are instilled; then after about 20-30 minutes the doctor will bring you back into the exam room and shine several lights into your eyes in order to examine the retina.
CONTACT LENS PRESCRIPTION & MANAGEMENT
- PURPOSE
- A contact lens evaluation allows the doctor to design and prescribe contact lenses. It is done every year because new and better products come out every year and many times the prescription may change. The contact fee includes three months of follow-up office visits so you have plenty of time to try the lenses before purchasing. A one week follow-up exam is usually done in order to evaluate vision, comfort and eye health after many hours of wear.
- Many factors such as comfort, quality of vision, movement, size, and how the lenses contour the corneas and interact with the eyelids are analyzed by the doctor.
- PROCEDURE
- The doctor will have you try on a pair of contact lenses and evaluate the fit of the lenses using slit lamp biomicroscopy. He/she will make a follow-up appointment for you and evaluate the lenses again at the follow-up office visit. Any problems during the week will be addressed at the follow-up appointment. Once the prescription is finalized by the doctor, a contact lens prescription will be released so you can purchase your contact lenses. At least one pair of diagnostic disposable soft lenses in your exact prescription will be dispensed to you.
CONTACT LENS DISPENSING
To teach all the necessary information needed for safe and effective contact lens wear such as how to care for the lenses, how to insert and remove lenses and the do's and don'ts of contact lens wear.
