What should I expect during my first eye exam?
First and foremost, you should expect to be welcomed warmly to our optometry clinic--whether in Woodruff, Park Falls or Eagle River. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff does everything we can to make you and your loved ones feel comfortable.
During the exam, your privacy will be fully respected and maintained. Using various devices and tests, one of our optometrists will evaluate several features, including:
- External eye anatomy (including corneal shape, eyelids, and tear ducts)
- Internal eye anatomy
- Inner eye pressure
- Pupil response
- Vision (including acuity, eye tracking, and refractive power)
Hopefully, we'll be able to tell you that your eyesight is perfect! If we detect a disease or vision problem--like glaucoma, macular degeneration, astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness--then we'll talk about the best course of action. Equally, if we detect any early warning signs of an eye health problem, we'll let you know about it and help you modify your behaviors and lifestyle to slow or reverse the disease.
Believe it or not, many underlying health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, aren't discovered until a person has their eyes checked! Eye exams are truly vital to your overall well-being.
How often should I get an eye exam?
We recommend getting your eyes checked at least once per year. If you have certain health conditions or vision problems, our optometrists may want to see you more often.
Can I drive myself home?
We ask that our patients plan ahead and make sure they have a safe ride home from our clinic. Frequently in our examinations, we may dilate your pupils as this allows us to better visualize your eye's inner anatomy, and the specialized drops we use to do this may not wear off for a few hours. This will make it very hard to see for a while!
Call a friend or bring a family member --it doesn't really matter, as long as you get home safe!
Do eye exams hurt?
The vast majority of our patients experience no pain whatsoever during an eye exam. Sometimes, certain devices and equipment--including bright lights to test your pupils--may cause brief and minor discomfort. But nothing about the eye exam is invasive or scary. It's truly our goal to make visiting the eye doctor an easy, affordable, and stress-free experience! Please feel free to ask us any questions or voice any concerns you may have.
To schedule your annual eye exam or to learn about our other premier vision care services, call Redman & Gelinas Eye Care today.