“I feel like I'm seeing in HD, and I'm so grateful.”
Patricia Shank
Comprehensive Eye Exam
What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your vision and your overall health. Our eye doctors do far more than check whether you need glasses — we evaluate the full health of your eyes and screen for serious eye disease.
It is a thorough medical evaluation of both your vision and the health of your entire visual system. A comprehensive exam goes well beyond a quick reading-chart check and gives us a detailed picture of how your eyes are functioning and what risks may be developing.
Conditions We Screen For
Many serious eye conditions develop slowly and cause no pain or obvious vision changes in their early stages. During a comprehensive exam, we can detect the beginning signs of these diseases before they threaten your sight — when treatment is most effective and vision loss is still preventable.
What to Expect During Your Exam
01
Medical & Family History
We review your overall health, medications, and any eye conditions that run in your family to tailor your exam and watch for the earliest warning signs.
02
Vision & Refraction Testing
We measure how clearly each eye sees at every distance and find the clearest, most comfortable correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
03
Eye Movement & Alignment
We observe how your eyes move and work together to uncover problems that can cause double vision, eye strain, or difficulty reading.
04
Slit-Lamp Examination
Using a microscope with a narrow beam of light, we examine your eyelids, tear film, cornea, iris, and lens for dry eye, infections, and early cataracts.
05
Eye Pressure Measurement
A quick, painless test measures the pressure inside your eye — a key step in screening for glaucoma before it can damage your optic nerve.
06
Dilated Retinal Exam
Dilating drops widen your pupils so we can examine the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal tears.
Advanced Imaging and Additional Tests
In some cases, we use advanced imaging to get a more detailed look at specific eye structures. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) creates detailed cross-sectional images of your retina, revealing swelling, thinning, or fluid well before these changes are visible to the naked eye. Fundus photography captures high-resolution images we compare across visits, while visual field testing and corneal topography help us detect early glaucoma and map the surface of your cornea. These tests are painless, non-invasive, and give us information a standard exam alone cannot.
Who Needs an Exam
and How Often
The right schedule depends on your age, health history, and personal risk factors. Our eye doctors personalize your recommended intervals based on what we find.
Preparing for Your Appointment
A little preparation helps us make the most of your visit, and knowing what to expect afterward lets you plan your day with confidence.
01
What to Bring
Bring your current glasses and contact lenses, plus a complete list of every medication and supplement you take, including over-the-counter products.
02
Arrange a Ride If Dilated
If we plan to dilate your pupils, driving afterward can be difficult, so arrange for someone to drive you home or plan to use a ride service.
03
After Dilation
Bright lights feel intense and near vision may blur for four to six hours, so avoid deciding on new glasses until the effect fully wears off.
04
Managing Light Sensitivity
We provide disposable sunglasses after dilation; bringing your own pair and staying in shaded areas keeps you comfortable on the way home.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Certain symptoms should not wait for your next scheduled visit. Knowing which changes in your vision need prompt attention could make a meaningful difference in protecting your sight. Contact us right away if you notice any of the following.
Symptoms That Need Prompt Care
More Than a Vision Screening
A vision screening — the kind done at school, work, or the DMV — only checks whether you can read letters at a set distance. A comprehensive exam is a detailed medical evaluation performed with specialized instruments: we assess your distance vision for driving, intermediate vision for computer work, near vision for reading, and your depth perception and color vision. A screening might tell you your vision is blurry; only a comprehensive exam can uncover why.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often about comprehensive eye exams at NewView Eye Center.
Most comprehensive eye exams take between 45 minutes and one hour, though the appointment may run longer if additional imaging is needed or if you have a complex medical history. If your eyes will be dilated, plan for extra time afterward while your vision clears before returning to tasks that require sharp focus.
Dilation is not always required at every exam, particularly for younger adults with no significant risk factors. We typically recommend it at least every few years for all adults, and annually for anyone with diabetes, a family history of retinal disease, or an existing retinal condition. If you have concerns about scheduling around dilation, let us know and we can help you plan.
Many vision and health insurance plans include coverage for routine comprehensive eye exams, though the specifics vary widely depending on your plan and whether the exam is classified as medical or routine. We accept most major insurance plans and work with patients to help them understand their benefits before their visit.
Yes, you may wear your contact lenses to the appointment, and in some cases we may ask you to keep them in so we can assess how they fit on your eyes. For certain tests, however, we may ask you to remove them, so it is a good idea to bring a contact lens case and your glasses as a backup.
Yes — this is one of the most important reasons for routine care. Many serious eye diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and early macular degeneration, cause no noticeable symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. Regular exams let us detect and address these conditions while treatment is still most effective.
An optometrist holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and provides comprehensive exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and manages many common eye conditions. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who completed additional surgical residency training and can perform eye surgery. Our practice is physician-led, meaning your care is overseen by ophthalmologists who manage both medical and surgical needs.
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Hear From Their Experience
“I still have 20/20 vision, and this was like a miracle to me in my life.”
Dr. Renee Yingling
“They were able to keep the monovision, and I am absolutely thrilled.”
Carol
Our Clinic Locations
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161)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8:30AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
Friday: 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
Monday: 8:30AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
Friday: 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
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22)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8:30AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
Friday: 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
Monday: 8:30AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
Friday: 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
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