Eye Exams in Virginia Beach
What is an Eye Exam?
An eye exam at our Virginia Beach office involves a series of tests to evaluate your overall vision. Dr. Delianides may use a variety of instruments, directly shine bright lights in your eyes, and ask you to look through a variety of lenses. Each test evaluates a different aspect of your vision and eye health during an eye examination.
Why it’s Important to Have Regular Eye Exams
An eye exam helps to detect eye problems at the earliest stage. Regular eye exams provide an opportunity for your eye care professional to help you correct or adapt to changes in your vision and give you tips on eye care. Improving your eye care can help prevent future loss of vision or other issues that may arise.
Diseases That Can Be Detected in an Eye Exam
Your eyes are not only the window to the soul; they are also a window to your overall health. During your eye exam at our Virginia Beach office, we can evaluate and observe the blood vessels in your retina, and their condition is a good indicator of the health of the blood vessels in the rest of your body. Diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia are all conditions that change the appearance of retinal blood vessels and blood supply.
If you have a family history of diabetes or obesity, then your annual eye exam can be especially important for you. You could be one of the more than 30 million Americans who suffer from diabetes or the 84 million who have a prediabetes risk of developing diabetic eye disease. This condition is the leading cause of blindness in adults and has no visible symptoms in the early stages. However, a comprehensive eye exam can help detect signs early, so intervention can effectively begin soon enough to help prevent vision loss.
At Atlantic Eye Consultants, we have the expertise and advanced technology to provide you with a complete evaluation of your eye health and the treatments you need to help protect them. Dr. Delianides is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery and has performed thousands of successful microsurgeries. He stays current on the latest advancements in the field by regularly attending classes, meetings, and conventions. This continuing education means you can be confident you will get the advanced, comprehensive care you need to keep your vision at its best.
You may have great vision now, but an annual eye exam at our Virginia Beach office is still one of the best things you can do for your overall health, so don’t put it off any longer! Call our experienced Virginia Beach team today and schedule your appointment with Dr. D!
CALL US: 757-481-3800 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
7 Tips for an Accurate Eye Exam
Other than your skin, your eyes are the only part of your body that can be fully examined from the outside. This makes diagnosing most issues fairly straightforward, but there are still some things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your eye exam.
- If you currently wear corrective lenses or glasses, be sure to bring those with you to your exam. If you have both, bring both, and if you use separate glasses for reading or driving, bring those as well.
- If you are aware of any issues in your family history relating to eye disease, let us know. The most important ones to be aware of are glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. If you have any of these conditions in your history, it may change Dr. D’s recommendations for intervention.
- Your medical history is also critical to share with us. Diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease, and any autoimmune disease have all been shown to correlate directly with diseases of the eyes. When we understand your medical history, we can increase the chance of successful intervention.
- Certain medications can also be the source of some eye conditions. Letting us know if you are on any medications like steroids, diuretics, fingolamide, or others can help us more accurately treat your eye problem.
- Some tests will require your participation and can make some people nervous. The refraction test and the visual field test are two of the most unpopular. Just remember there are no perfect answers, and the more honest you are, the more we can help you.
- Bring a friend or family member with you to your exam if at all possible. If you need to have your eyes dilated, it is safer to have someone with you who can drive you home. Also, it is a good idea to have another set of ears to interpret all the information you will receive.
- If you have any questions, be sure to write them down before you come in for your appointment. If you are anxious about what your results might be, it can be easy to forget what those questions were.
Components of the Eye and Related Diseases
The eye is a complex organ made up of tissues and specialized components that work together to produce accurate vision. This complexity makes the eye sensitive to damage or disease; if one element is experiencing issues, eyesight as a whole is affected. Eye damage and disease can cause permanent problems and inhibit the long-term health of your vision.
The anatomy of the eye and the related diseases include:
Cornea:
As the outermost part of the eye, the cornea consists of protective layers such as the lens and pupil. This structure boosts the focusing power of the eye, enhancing what we see for more efficient processing. If you have issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, it is usually due to an improperly-shaped cornea.
Disease:
Keratoconus is one of the more common corneal diseases that affect its thickness and shape. In severe cases, a cornea transplant is required, while hybrid contacts can sometimes correct the sight issues caused by this disease.
Lens:
The lens sits behind the pupil, focusing light and images after they have passed through the cornea. These images and light are then transferred onto the retina and down the optic nerve to be translated into information the brain can read. Additionally, the lens is responsible for shifting focus between distances.
Disease:
Cataracts are an issue caused by protein buildup on the lens. This can happen to anyone, although it is more common in adults over the age of 65. This cloudiness can affect one eye or both and requires surgery to correct.
The Optic Nerve:
Carrying information from the retina to our brain, the optic nerve connects what we see to the processing centers in our mind. It is attached to the back of the eye, surrounding the retinal vein and artery. It is a vital component of our eyesight and relies on the consistent and regular pressure of the fluid inside your eye, also known as the vitreous body.
Disease:
Glaucoma is a condition of poor or diminishing eyesight due to a disproportionate amount of pressure inside the eye. When too much eye fluid accumulates, the pressure cuts off the optic nerve from the retina. Without immediate attention, you can lose your vision completely.
When is the Right Time for an Eye Exam?
Protecting your eyesight is crucial to maintaining the quality of your daily life. Your eyes deserve experienced care from our Virginia Beach optometrist, Dr. Delianides, who provides examinations and administers skilled, professional care. Our entire Atlantic Eye Consultants team is committed to giving each patient personal attention during exams, explaining every step of the process in detail, and recommending effective treatment options.
We believe eye care should begin at a young age before children enter the first grade. We can examine your child’s eyesight gently and carefully, checking for proper development (see below for more about eye exams for children). For patients under the age of 50, eye exams can be completed periodically, but especially if eye problems are impacting your routine. After age 50, you should visit our practice annually for an eye exam. We emphasize forward-thinking preventive care to protect your eyesight for a lifetime.
Comprehensive Eye Examinations in Virginia Beach, VA
Dr. Delianides has extensive experience in diagnosing common and advanced eye disorders. Our routine eye assessments are also used to ensure a precise fit for your contacts, fashioning a custom prescription, and pairing those lenses with premium frames.
Part of our comprehensive Virginia Beach eye exam includes testing for:
- Glaucoma
- Visual Acuity
- Color Blindness
- Your Visual Field
Why Your Child’s Vision Screening is Not a Substitute for an Eye Exam
Your child’s eye screening performed by a pediatrician, family doctor, or as part of a check-up at school is not the same thing as an exam done by a professional ophthalmologist. Screenings can help identify children who need a comprehensive exam, but to be on the safe side, have your child undergo a full eye exam at about three years old. They should have another exam right before they enter school, at age five or six, then every two years after that. If they need eyeglasses or contacts, then they will need an annual exam.
If your child displays any of the following symptoms, call and schedule a visit as soon as possible, even if they are under the age of three.
- Frequent eye rubbing
- Excessive blinking
- Difficulty maintaining eye contact
- Delayed motor development or premature birth
- Poor eye tracking skills
Eye exams are important for children because there are so many visual skills they need for optimal learning. Vision problems can interfere with school performance and leave them frustrated and confused.
When you schedule your child’s eye exam with our Virginia Beach office, be sure to make the appointment at the time of day they are the most rested, alert, and happy. The specific tests conducted will depend on their age, but will include a health history, cover tests, and several other advanced measurements to evaluate the retina and overall eye fitness. Dr. Delianides and our team love seeing kids and making sure they have all the visual skills they need to perform well in school and enjoy life.
The Atlantic Eye Consultants Difference
Our whole staff is experienced in caring for a range of vision issues. The purpose of an eye exam is to establish a record of your existing eye health and build a treatment plan to improve and preserve your sight. Whether you need more advanced procedures, such as LASIK, or simply need a set of eyeglasses, we can accommodate all your needs.
CALL US: 757-481-3800 REQUEST APPOINTMENT