Comprehensive Eye Exam vs. Contact Exam: What's the Difference?

If you are considering going to an eye doctor at Nationwide Vision, it's important to first understand that all visits are not the same. Making an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam can help determine how healthy your eyes are and if your vision has changed. But if you're hoping to also get contact lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, this exam won't be enough.

The last thing you want is to find out the appointment you've scheduled is not what you expected. When it comes to booking a comprehensive eye exam vs. a contact lens exam, here's what you'll want to know beforehand. Learn more about these two types of exams you can receive at Nationwide Vision, and which is best for you.

Usually, the earlier you catch and treat serious eye conditions, the less likely you are to suffer vision loss. This makes booking an appointment at Nationwide Vision all the more important. Common eye diseases that your optometrist may check for include:

• Glaucoma: This includes a group of eye diseases that can result in vision loss due to optic nerve damage.

• Cataracts: This is caused by a clouding of the lens and could lead to vision loss.

• Age-related macular degeneration: This involves the breakdown over time of a portion of the eye's light-sensitive tissue.

• Diabetic retinopathy: This disease damages blood vessels in the eye and if left untreated could lead to blindness.

You can expect to undergo a variety of tests, depending on what your doctor feels are necessary. To get a better idea, the Nationwide Vision optical care team will first take a patient history. Then, they may conduct some of the following tests:

• Visual acuity test: This helps to determine how well you are seeing and usually involves reading letters off a chart on the wall.

• Visual field test: This test will check your vision for possible blind spots.

• Testing refraction: This test involves finding the lens power needed for you to see clearly.

• Pressure testing: This checks the pressure of your eye and helps to ensure you are not developing certain diseases, such as glaucoma.

• Eye dilation: For this, your doctor will administer special eye drops to temporarily expand the pupil. This allows them to see what's going on inside the eye and make sure all the structures are healthy.

• Colorblindness test: This will show your doctor if you are having trouble perceiving certain colors.

• Stereopsis exam: This tests for depth perception.

In the contact lens exam, you can expect your optometrist to do the following:

• Conduct tests to be sure you don't have any issues that could interfere with successful lens wear.

• Measure the size and shape of your eye to ensure your lenses fit properly and are comfortable.

• Measure both your pupils and irises to make sure the lenses fit well.

• Measure your cornea, the clear outer surface of your eye, to find the right curvature and size for your lenses. If your eye has an irregular curvature, you may need to be fitted for what's known as a toric contact lens. This can help to compensate for some distortions and provide better vision.

  • Learn more about Nationwide Vision’s specialty contact lens services

All of this will help your optometrist understand the type of lens and prescription that's best for you. After the initial exam, your optometrist will ask you to come back for a follow-up appointment to be certain that the prescription is working for you and your lenses fit as they should.