Madeira Optical Eye Care Info
| 7111 Miami Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45243 |
| Designer & Quality Eyewear Cincinnati Optometrist Dr. Malinda Pence |
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Comprehensive Eye Exam
Summary
A comprehensive eye examination includes a complete medical and visual case
history and a comprehensive analysis of ocular health and visual performance. The
results of this eye examination will lead to an optimum spectacle prescription for
safety and visual performance. A dilated pupil eye examination will also detect the
presence of eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Dr. Pence uses a wide variety of tests and procedures to examine your eyes. These
tests range from having you read an eye chart, to complex optometric tests, such as
using a high-powered lens to visualize the tiny structures inside of your eyes. Dr.
Pence uses pediatric charts and a less intimidating portable autorefractor for
children's examinations. Below are some of the basic tests that you are likely to
encounter during a routine eye exam at an Optometrist's office.
High Definition Retinal Image
Madeira Optical recently installed a state-of-the-art 10.1 megapixel Topcon Digital
Retinal Camera in our test room. This instrument allows us to take photographs of
the back of your eye (retina), and enable us to carry out a far more detailed
examination than was previously possible.
The image we take is similar to the one shown (left) and Dr. Pence can immediately
use this photo to diagnose the health and condition of your eyes in the exam room.
Retinal screening can check for Glaucoma, Diabetes, Cataracts, Age Related
Macular Degeneration and other conditions.
This retinal examination is quick and the image is captured in just seconds using
flash photography - nothing touches the eye. We will then have a permanent record
of the condition of your eyes stored on our computer, allowing us to compare
images and look for any changes, year after year - which could prove to be
invaluable in monitoring the health of your eye.
Autorefraction / Retinoscopy
Dr. Pence's autorefractor is an instrument that incorporates the latest laser
technology to estimate the patient's prescription. Dr. Pence is also able to
approximate your prescription based on the way the light reflects from your eye.
This technique is called Retinoscopy. This test is especially useful for children and
non-verbal patients who are unable to accurately answer the doctor's questions.
Because Dr. Pence's autorefractor is portable, it is less intimidating and more easily
maneuvered.
Refraction
This is the test that Dr. Pence uses to determine your exact prescription. During a
refraction, Dr. Pence puts an instrument called a phoropter in front of your eyes and
shows you a series of lens choices. She will then ask you which of the two lenses in
each choice looks more clear. Based on your answers, the doctor will continue to
fine-tune your power until you reach a final prescription that is then used in your
eyeglasses and contacts. Refraction determines your level of farsightedness,
nearsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Cover Test
While there are many ways for Dr. Pence to check how your eyes work together, the
cover test is the most common. During a cover test, she will have you focus on a
small object at distance and will then cover each of your eyes alternately while you
stare at the target. As she does this, Dr. Pence will observe how much each eye has
to move when uncovered to pick up the fixation target. This helps her to detect
strabismus, or eye turn, which can cause amblyopia, poor depth perception and
other binocular vision problems. The test is then repeated up close.
Slit-Lamp Examination
The slit lamp is an instrument that Dr. Pence uses to examine the health of your
eyes. The slit lamp allows an Optometrist to get a highly magnified image of the
structures of the eye in order to thoroughly evaluate them for signs of infection or
disease. During this test Dr. Pence will have you place your chin on the chin rest of
the slit lamp and will then shine the lamp's light at your eye. She looks through a set
of oculars and examines each part of the eye in turn. Dr. Pence will first examine the
structures of the front of the eye. Then, with the help of a special high-powered
lens, she will view the inside of the eye. A whole range of eye conditions and
diseases can be detected with slit-lamp examination, including cataracts, macular
degeneration, corneal ulcers, diabetic eye disease, etc.
The Glaucoma Test
There are a few variations of the glaucoma test. The purpose of all of them is to
measure the pressure inside your eye. The most common glaucoma test is the "puff-
of-air" test, technically known as the non-contact tonometer. For this test, Dr. Pence
will again start by having you put your chin on the machine's chin rest. While you
look at a light inside the machine, the doctor will line it up and puff a small burst of
air at your open eye. It is completely painless, and the tonometer does not come in
contact with the eye. Based on your eye's resistance to the puff of air, the machine
calculates your interocular pressure.
The other type of glaucoma test is performed with an applanation tonometer. While
there are several versions of this instrument, the most common is mounted on the
slit lamp. For this test, Dr. Pence will put a yellow eye drop in your eye that numbs it.
Your eyes will feel slightly heavy when the drops start working. This is not a dilating
drop — it is simply a numbing agent combined with a yellow dye. Then Dr. Pence will
have you stare straight ahead in the slit lamp while he or she touches a bright-blue
glowing instrument to the front of each eye and manually measures the intraocular
pressure. Applanation tonometry is also painless. At most, you may feel the
tonometer probe tickle your eyelashes. The whole test takes just a few seconds.
Since glaucoma is often the result of an increase of pressure inside the eye, these
are important tests for ensuring the long-term health of your eyes.
Dilation
Dilating drops are drops that Dr. Pence puts in your eyes to make the pupil larger in
order to get a better view of the internal structures of the eye. The pupil is like a
window to the inside of the eye. Essentially, dilating drops open the window wider to
allow the Optometrist a better view of the eye's internal structures. Dilating drops
usually take about 15 to 20 minutes to start working. While the dilating drops are
working, you will be sensitive to light (because more light is getting into your eye)
and may notice difficulty focusing on objects up close. These effects can last for up
to several hours depending on the strength of the drop used.
Once the drops have taken effect, Doctor Pence will use a variety of instruments
and light sources to look at the insides of your eyes. You should bring sunglasses
with you, to minimize glare and light sensitivity on the way home. If you've forgotten
yours, we can give you a temporary pair. Dilation is very important for people with
risk factors for eye disease, because it allows for the most thorough evaluation of
the health of the inside of your eyes.
Eye Disease Glossary (back to top)
Glaucoma: There are often no symptoms until damage has been done. It is actually
a group of diseases characterized by increased pressure within your eye. If left
untreated, can cause blindness through permanent damage to the optic nerve.
Macular Degeneration: A degeneration of the central portion of the retina
(macula) which is responsible for straight-on vision used in driving, reading,
perceiving colors, and recognizing faces. It is the most common cause of blindness
in people over 50 years of age.
Diabetic Retinopathy: A common condition associated with Diabetes that causes
the weakening of tiny blood vessels in the retina which can leak fluid into
surrounding tissue causing blurred vision and severe vision loss. Blindness can
result if not treated in early stages.
Cataracts: A clouding of the lens of the eye. Usually occurs over a period of years
and is caused by a chemical change in the protein which makes up the lens.
Refractive Conditions: (back to top)
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition in which the visual images come to a focus
in front of the retina of the eye resulting primarily in defective vision of distant
objects.
Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a condition in which visual images come to a focus
behind the retina of the eye and vision is better for distant than for near objects.
Astigmatism is a vision problem caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. It distorts
the focus of light waves entering the eye causing blurred or double vision.
Presbyopia is a condition in which the eye is unable to focus on close objects due
to a loss of elasticity in the lens. Usually occurs after the age of 40.
Didn't see what you were looking for? Visit the National Eye Institute web site or call
our office for more information.
Summary
A comprehensive eye examination includes a complete medical and visual case
history and a comprehensive analysis of ocular health and visual performance. The
results of this eye examination will lead to an optimum spectacle prescription for
safety and visual performance. A dilated pupil eye examination will also detect the
presence of eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Dr. Pence uses a wide variety of tests and procedures to examine your eyes. These
tests range from having you read an eye chart, to complex optometric tests, such as
using a high-powered lens to visualize the tiny structures inside of your eyes. Dr.
Pence uses pediatric charts and a less intimidating portable autorefractor for
children's examinations. Below are some of the basic tests that you are likely to
encounter during a routine eye exam at an Optometrist's office.
High Definition Retinal Image
Madeira Optical recently installed a state-of-the-art 10.1 megapixel Topcon Digital
Retinal Camera in our test room. This instrument allows us to take photographs of
the back of your eye (retina), and enable us to carry out a far more detailed
examination than was previously possible.
The image we take is similar to the one shown (left) and Dr. Pence can immediately
use this photo to diagnose the health and condition of your eyes in the exam room.
Retinal screening can check for Glaucoma, Diabetes, Cataracts, Age Related
Macular Degeneration and other conditions.
This retinal examination is quick and the image is captured in just seconds using
flash photography - nothing touches the eye. We will then have a permanent record
of the condition of your eyes stored on our computer, allowing us to compare
images and look for any changes, year after year - which could prove to be
invaluable in monitoring the health of your eye.
Autorefraction / Retinoscopy
Dr. Pence's autorefractor is an instrument that incorporates the latest laser
technology to estimate the patient's prescription. Dr. Pence is also able to
approximate your prescription based on the way the light reflects from your eye.
This technique is called Retinoscopy. This test is especially useful for children and
non-verbal patients who are unable to accurately answer the doctor's questions.
Because Dr. Pence's autorefractor is portable, it is less intimidating and more easily
maneuvered.
Refraction
This is the test that Dr. Pence uses to determine your exact prescription. During a
refraction, Dr. Pence puts an instrument called a phoropter in front of your eyes and
shows you a series of lens choices. She will then ask you which of the two lenses in
each choice looks more clear. Based on your answers, the doctor will continue to
fine-tune your power until you reach a final prescription that is then used in your
eyeglasses and contacts. Refraction determines your level of farsightedness,
nearsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Cover Test
While there are many ways for Dr. Pence to check how your eyes work together, the
cover test is the most common. During a cover test, she will have you focus on a
small object at distance and will then cover each of your eyes alternately while you
stare at the target. As she does this, Dr. Pence will observe how much each eye has
to move when uncovered to pick up the fixation target. This helps her to detect
strabismus, or eye turn, which can cause amblyopia, poor depth perception and
other binocular vision problems. The test is then repeated up close.
Slit-Lamp Examination
The slit lamp is an instrument that Dr. Pence uses to examine the health of your
eyes. The slit lamp allows an Optometrist to get a highly magnified image of the
structures of the eye in order to thoroughly evaluate them for signs of infection or
disease. During this test Dr. Pence will have you place your chin on the chin rest of
the slit lamp and will then shine the lamp's light at your eye. She looks through a set
of oculars and examines each part of the eye in turn. Dr. Pence will first examine the
structures of the front of the eye. Then, with the help of a special high-powered
lens, she will view the inside of the eye. A whole range of eye conditions and
diseases can be detected with slit-lamp examination, including cataracts, macular
degeneration, corneal ulcers, diabetic eye disease, etc.
The Glaucoma Test
There are a few variations of the glaucoma test. The purpose of all of them is to
measure the pressure inside your eye. The most common glaucoma test is the "puff-
of-air" test, technically known as the non-contact tonometer. For this test, Dr. Pence
will again start by having you put your chin on the machine's chin rest. While you
look at a light inside the machine, the doctor will line it up and puff a small burst of
air at your open eye. It is completely painless, and the tonometer does not come in
contact with the eye. Based on your eye's resistance to the puff of air, the machine
calculates your interocular pressure.
The other type of glaucoma test is performed with an applanation tonometer. While
there are several versions of this instrument, the most common is mounted on the
slit lamp. For this test, Dr. Pence will put a yellow eye drop in your eye that numbs it.
Your eyes will feel slightly heavy when the drops start working. This is not a dilating
drop — it is simply a numbing agent combined with a yellow dye. Then Dr. Pence will
have you stare straight ahead in the slit lamp while he or she touches a bright-blue
glowing instrument to the front of each eye and manually measures the intraocular
pressure. Applanation tonometry is also painless. At most, you may feel the
tonometer probe tickle your eyelashes. The whole test takes just a few seconds.
Since glaucoma is often the result of an increase of pressure inside the eye, these
are important tests for ensuring the long-term health of your eyes.
Dilation
Dilating drops are drops that Dr. Pence puts in your eyes to make the pupil larger in
order to get a better view of the internal structures of the eye. The pupil is like a
window to the inside of the eye. Essentially, dilating drops open the window wider to
allow the Optometrist a better view of the eye's internal structures. Dilating drops
usually take about 15 to 20 minutes to start working. While the dilating drops are
working, you will be sensitive to light (because more light is getting into your eye)
and may notice difficulty focusing on objects up close. These effects can last for up
to several hours depending on the strength of the drop used.
Once the drops have taken effect, Doctor Pence will use a variety of instruments
and light sources to look at the insides of your eyes. You should bring sunglasses
with you, to minimize glare and light sensitivity on the way home. If you've forgotten
yours, we can give you a temporary pair. Dilation is very important for people with
risk factors for eye disease, because it allows for the most thorough evaluation of
the health of the inside of your eyes.
Eye Disease Glossary (back to top)
Glaucoma: There are often no symptoms until damage has been done. It is actually
a group of diseases characterized by increased pressure within your eye. If left
untreated, can cause blindness through permanent damage to the optic nerve.
Macular Degeneration: A degeneration of the central portion of the retina
(macula) which is responsible for straight-on vision used in driving, reading,
perceiving colors, and recognizing faces. It is the most common cause of blindness
in people over 50 years of age.
Diabetic Retinopathy: A common condition associated with Diabetes that causes
the weakening of tiny blood vessels in the retina which can leak fluid into
surrounding tissue causing blurred vision and severe vision loss. Blindness can
result if not treated in early stages.
Cataracts: A clouding of the lens of the eye. Usually occurs over a period of years
and is caused by a chemical change in the protein which makes up the lens.
Refractive Conditions: (back to top)
Myopia (nearsightedness) is a condition in which the visual images come to a focus
in front of the retina of the eye resulting primarily in defective vision of distant
objects.
Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a condition in which visual images come to a focus
behind the retina of the eye and vision is better for distant than for near objects.
Astigmatism is a vision problem caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. It distorts
the focus of light waves entering the eye causing blurred or double vision.
Presbyopia is a condition in which the eye is unable to focus on close objects due
to a loss of elasticity in the lens. Usually occurs after the age of 40.
Didn't see what you were looking for? Visit the National Eye Institute web site or call
our office for more information.
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| © 2006 Madeira Optical | 7111 Miami Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45243 | 513.561.7076 |
