Routine/ Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems, eye disease and general health problems before you are even aware a problem exists.  A comprehensive eye exam can take an hour or more, depending on the number of tests required to fully evaluate your vision and the health of your eyes.

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Tests commonly performed during a comprehensive exam include:

• VISUAL ACUITY TEST: Measures the sharpness of your vision.  This test helps your doctor determine if corrective lenses, laser vision correction (LASIK) or another procedure would be beneficial.
• REFRACTION: Determines your precise eyeglass prescription.  During a refraction, you comfortably rest your chin on the stabilizing plate of an autorefractor while you are shown a series pictures, numbers, letters, or symbols through different lenses.  Your technician will then ask you a series of questions regarding which of lens in each choice looks clearer, 1 or 2.
• SLIT LAMP EXAM: Examines the structures located far back in the eye, such as the retina and optic nerve.  A slit lamp  looks somewhat like a large, upright version of a microscope.  Like a regular microscope, a slit lamp allows your doctor to view the structures of your eyes under high magnification.
• GLAUCOMA TEST: Measures pressure inside your eyes to determine if you are developing glaucoma.  Rather than using the puff of air as in days of old, we use a tonopen to measure your intraocular pressure (IOP).  For this test, your eye doctor will put eye drops in your eyes to numb them. Your eyes will feel slightly heavy when the drops start working. This is not a dilating drop — it is a numbing agent  that enables your doctor to gently touch the surface of your eye to measure its pressure while you sit comfortably.  At most, you may feel the tonopen tickle your eyelashes. The whole test takes just a few seconds.
• PUPIL DILATION: Enlarges pupils to enable your doctor to see and evaluate the health of the internal structures of your eyes. Dilating drops usually take 20 to 30 minutes to start working. When your pupils are dilated, you will be sensitive to light and you may notice difficulty focusing on objects up close.  You should bring sunglasses with you to your eye exam to minimize glare and light sensitivity on the way home.  Having a driver to take you home after your exam is also recommended.
• VISUAL FIELD TEST: Checks for the possible blind spots in your vision.  This test is typically only performed if you have been diagnosed with a pre-existing eye disease, like glaucoma, or if your doctor suspects there may be eye disease present.

Comprehensive Eye Exams for Children

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All children starting kindergarten or entering school in Illinois for the first time must have a comprehensive eye exam.  Proof of the eye exam must be submitted by October 15th of each school year.

Comprehensive eye exams for children are critical for the early intervention necessary to treat diseases and disorders such as amblyopia (“lazy eye”), strabismus, retinoblastoma and other serious and potentially blinding problems that can lead to poor school performance and ultimately affect quality of life. Vision disorders are considered the fourth most common disability in the United States, though many vision problems in children are preventable or treatable if caught early.

Eye examinations are a cost-effective investment in Illinois’s children. Approximately 70 percent of children are insured for comprehensive eye exams through private insurance, Medicaid, S-CHIP or other state or federal programs. Many optometrists, ophthalmologists and local charitable organizations provide ongoing assistance for families in need.

Comprehensive Eye Exams for Adults

Eye examinations are an important part of health maintenance for everyone. Adults should have their eyes tested to keep their prescriptions current and to check for early signs of eye disease.  An annual eye examination is recommended for every person after age 40, even if you have not been diagnosed with an eye disease and are not experiencing any problems with your vision.  If you already wear eyeglasses or contact lenses or are experiencing any problems with your vision, you should have a complete eye examination to determine the status of your vision.

In addition to evaluating your eyes for glasses and contact lenses, our optometrists will check your eyes for eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss. Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, have no symptoms in their early stages. In most cases, early detection and treatment of eye diseases can help reduce your risk for permanent vision loss.

Our physicians also take the time to discuss any issues or concerns you may have about your test results, or questions you may have about available procedures.  If you need glasses or contact lenses, our highly trained optometrists will guide you through all the available lenses to find what will best fit your lifestyle needs.  Gailey Eye Clinic offers frames a variety of frames, including many name brands, customized lenses and a variety of contact lenses, including diposables, keratoconus and specialty lenses.

Our physicians examine and treat eye disorders and diseases and coordinate all post-operative care.  We provide 24 hour/7 days a week emergency care so that you know your vision is protected with Gailey.