If you've visited an eye doctor for  glasses, you may have spent a short time the office receiving a routine vision exam or refraction. After that quick and straightforward process, a comprehensive eye exam may come as a shock. Unlike a routine vision exam, a comprehensive eye exam at Tri-State Eye, takes roughly an hour and a half, and includes a wide variety of tests to check every aspect of your eye health.

While a vision test is part of the exam,  checking the overall health of the eye, including eye pressure, muscle function and dryness is the main reason for a comprehensive eye exam.The initial tests will be performed by a technician rather than the eye doctor, for much the same reasons your blood is often drawn by a nurse or phlebotomist instead of your physician: although they will provide the information your doctor uses to make a diagnosis, the tests themselves don't need to be performed by a doctor.

During your visit, you will also be administered eye drops to induce dilation, which will allow your eye doctor to examine the physical structures of your eyes. This examination is preformed with a special microscope and includes the surfaces of your eyes, the lenses, and the retina. Your eye doctor will be on the lookout for any abnormalities, including cataracts, signs of glaucoma and retinal changes. There are several diagnostics tests, usually done with machines, to further evaluate some of these changes .The visual exam and the previous tests will form the basis for your eye doctor's diagnosis.

After these tests and exams, your doctor will explain to you how your eyes are doing, prescribe any medications, glasses or procedures you may need to return your eyes to full health, and answer whatever questions and concerns you have. It's a good idea to come to your appointment with a written list of questions to ensure nothing is overlooked. You may need someone to drive you if your eyes are dilated.

If you have concerns about your eyes, schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Tri-State Eye today. You can reach their Middletown, NY, location at (845) 703-2020, or their Milford, PA office at (570) 296-9696. You can also learn more about the practice online.