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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
Modern eye exams use specialized tools that look at structures invisible to the naked eye. Here's what each one does, in plain language.
What we use, and why
Common technology — and what it shows us.
Imaging
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
A non-contact scan that shows microscopic cross-sections of the retina and optic nerve. Detects glaucoma damage, AMD, macular holes, and many other conditions years before they cause symptoms.
Photography
Fundus photography
Wide-field photo of the back of the eye. Documents baseline appearance and detects changes over time. A picture is worth thousands of words for tracking subtle changes.
Testing
Visual field analysis
Maps your peripheral vision in detail. The gold standard for tracking glaucoma damage and detecting neurological vision loss.
Corneal
Corneal topography
Maps the shape of your cornea — essential for fitting specialty contacts, planning refractive surgery, and tracking keratoconus.
Schedule a comprehensive exam if
It's been more than a year since your last exam (or two years if you're younger and have no risk factors). Many serious eye conditions are silent — annual exams find them while treatment is most effective.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Why do you need so many tests?+
Different tests look at different parts of the eye. A comprehensive exam combines structural imaging (OCT, photography), functional testing (visual fields, color vision), and clinical exam to give a complete picture.
Is OCT covered by insurance?+
When medically indicated — glaucoma monitoring, AMD, diabetic eye disease, retinal conditions — yes. As a routine screening on healthy eyes, coverage varies.
Does any of this hurt?+
No. Most modern eye-imaging equipment is non-contact and quick. Dilation drops are mild stinging for a few seconds. Visual fields require concentration but are not painful.
Do I need all this equipment every visit?+
No. Imaging is repeated as clinically needed — yearly for glaucoma patients, at exam intervals for healthy patients. Your eye doctor will tailor what's used to your situation.
Can these find non-eye health issues?+
Yes. Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, neurological conditions, and even some cancers can show up in the eye. An eye exam can be the first place certain systemic conditions are detected.