We rely heavily on our sense of sight and need to keep our eyes healthy and fully functioning. Comprehensive eye exams are the foundation of eye care, but some people don’t have the complete story on why. The following addresses three common misconceptions about visits to the optometrist to take care of your eyes.

Vision screenings are not substitutes for comprehensive eye exams.

Vision screenings can help identify individuals who are at risk for a vision problem, but they are far more limited than a comprehensive eye exam. Screenings can be performed by anyone trained to do so, regardless of their experience with eye health. A comprehensive eye exam is done by an optometrist.

While a screening can detect potential vision problems, it cannot address the presence or risk of eye disease and other aspects of eye health. One of the best ways to take care of your eyes is to have yearly comprehensive exams, even if you’ve gone through vision screening that gives you the “all clear.”

Patients who wear contact lenses will have a longer exam.

Occasionally we get questions from our contact lens patients about the extra time and expense of their appointments. Working with patients who wear contacts requires additional testing to make sure their lenses not only correct their vision, but also fit properly and are comfortable. After all, contact lenses are applied directly to the eyes which results in increased risk of injury and infection if the fit isn’t right.

While eyeglass prescriptions are valid for up to two years, contact lens prescriptions expire after one year. This is a federal law designed to optimize contact lens safety.

Even people with “perfect” vision need to have their eyes examined each year.

Comprehensive exams include more than just vision testing, so those who skip them are missing out on tracking other aspects of their eye health, including additional measures of visual performance and the early detection of eye diseases. This is as important for children as it is for adults.

Changes in vision are not always easily detected, especially by children who aren’t aware of what “perfect” vision means. Even adults have a hard time recognizing more subtle vision changes for what they are.

We make it easy to schedule your comprehensive eye exam. Call us or click on the scheduling button to the right.