COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS
Eye Exam Basics
We all know that 20/20 is “perfect” vision, but what does it mean?
It’s “visual acuity,” the eye test for how far you can see clearly. Visual acuity is only one part of a comprehensive exam, but it’s important to understand. Another key component is “refraction,” which assesses how light bends in your eye, affecting your ability to focus and thus contributing to your overall visual acuity.
In truth, 20/20 is “average” vision. Some estimations are that perfect vision would be measured around 20/5. The first number is what the person being tested can see at 20 feet. The second number represents what an average person can see at 20 feet.
So, if you can see certain letters at 20 feet that the average person would only be able to see at 15 feet, you have above average vision. For many people, the numbers are weighted differently–you can see at 20 feet what most people can see from farther away.
This is where your prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses come in! After your low-cost eye exam right here in Fort Collins, which includes both visual acuity and refraction tests, we can provide you with vision correction and get you to 20/20 again.
How Are Your Eyes Doing?
Did you know that many eye diseases can present with no symptoms at all until the disease has already progressed? A comprehensive eye exam empowers us to evaluate the eye and visual system for eye health problems early and take action if necessary to prevent permanent damage that would otherwise occur without treatment. It is critical to an individual’s quality of life to identify these problems before they get serious. Our low-cost eye exams and eye doctors are dedicated to providing you and your family with the very best eye care. Our focus is YOU!
What To Expect
Thanks to our passion for superior patient experience and updated technology, we fully assess your vision within one affordable appointment. After we collect your medical and vision history, here are the basics tests to expect:
- Visual acuity test – we’ll put you in front of a chart and have you read it with one eye covered at a time.
- Binocular vision assessment– vision is much more than just 20/20. Our eye doctors take the time to assess how your eyes work as a team for optimal performance.
- Comprehensive evaluation of all structures of the eye and visual system including dilation and if requested a high-resolution image of 200 degrees of your retinas with the latest in technology Optos Optomap.
- Determination if you are in need of vision correction via glasses, contacts or other options available to you.
- Visual field testing – we feel a true comprehensive exam not only includes making you see your very best but also making sure you’re seeing everything you should be.
Poudre Valley Eyecare, Your Family’s Fort Collins Optometrist
We’ve been providing quality vision and eye care services to the families of Fort Collins for over 30 years. When should each member of your family have an exam?
Eye Exams for Children
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, children should receive eye exams at the following intervals:
- Newborn
- Six to twelve months old
- One to three years old
- Three to five years old
- Five years old (specifically for myopia)
Eye Exams for Adults
As the adult years are not as formative for the eyes and vision, the intervals are a little longer. The American Optometric Association recommends adults without symptoms of eye problems be seen at least once every two years between the ages of 18 and 65. For those 65 years old and older, they recommend yearly eye exams.
There are some exceptions, for example, if you sustain an eye injury or trauma. Also, if someone in your family has an eye disease you should have an appointment soon to discern the necessary frequency of eye exams to make sure your vision is as good as it can be for as long as possible.
Why Choose Us for Your Vision and Eye Care?
Advanced technology and individualized care allow us to deliver optimal results for patients of all ages in Fort Collins and beyond. We perform routine eye exams to detect changes in your vision, which helps us treat those changes early. Thanks to a comprehensive understanding of eye care, our eye doctors can treat a wide range of vision conditions and chronic diseases. In-depth eye exams combined with personalized treatment plans set us apart from the rest.
