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Medical Eye Exam Vs. Routine Vision Exam: a Comparison

November 4, 2021
By: Dr. Dimple Kapoor

Undergoing eye examinations is one of the best things you can do to maintain your eyesight.

After all, it is one of the bodily functions that tend to deteriorate as we age. However, it pays to understand the various types of eye exams available to you, particularly the medical and routine types. Eye & Vision Care, your trusted lenses and frames specialist, take a look at the differences between the two.

Medical Eye Exam

A medical eye exam involves a detailed and in-depth evaluation of your eye health. Here, you’ll undergo a series of tests and other procedures to determine if you have an eye-related condition such as cataract, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It also helps diagnose systemic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and other autoimmune diseases. It usually takes at least an hour to finish and is performed by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other eye care specialist.

After conducting the necessary tests, your eye doctor will explain the findings to you. If there’s a diagnosis, you’ll be given various treatment options to manage or alleviate symptoms. Eye drops, antibiotics, and other medicines may also be given to you if there’s evidence of an eye infection.

Routine Vision Exam

A routine eye exam, meanwhile, is done regularly. Its primary purpose is to detect certain risks for vision problems, including refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. A typical routine vision exam is usually followed by a lens and frame fitting to correct these visual impairments.

The frequency of routine eye exams varies depending on age. Children, for example, need to undergo initial screening as early as six to 12 months. Ocular alignment evaluations are recommended for school-aged children every one to two years to keep track of any abnormalities as their eyes develop. Routine eye exams for adults are usually done once or twice a year depending on their medical history and personal risk factors.

Eye & Vision Care is your trusted provider for your eye care needs. We see patients for first-time and regular exams, whether they’re preventative or diagnostic. We also prescribe contacts and eyeglasses and determine whether you are a candidate for orthokeratology lenses.

Call us today at 703) 783-1297 (Fairfax, VA), (703) 957-3384 (South Riding, VA), or (703) 659-4430 (Haymarket, VA). You may also fill out our contact form to request an appointment.