Skip to main content
Serving Austin, Round Rock & Cedar Park! On Hwy 183 between McNeil & Technology.
Schedule An Eye Exam
Call us at 512-258-2020
Open Menu
Close Menu

COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS

As your eyes gradually change, so can your vision and prescription needs. That’s why regular eye exams with an eye doctor are so important.

SCHEDULE AN EYE EXAM

Your eyes change over time.
This happens as a result of the natural aging process and things like climate, hormones, pregnancy, medications, and the daily activities you enjoy doing. Visiting your family doctor for an annual physical is critical to managing your health. Doing the same for your eyes is just as–if not more–important for maintaining excellent vision and quality of life. If you’re thinking, “How can I schedule an eye exam near me?”, then contact our office today. We’ll set an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you.

What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Unlike a basic vision screening, a comprehensive eye exam involves a thorough, detailed examination of your eyes and visual abilities. During the exam, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, family history of any disease or health issues, medications you may be currently taking, hospital visits, and your personal lifestyle. All of these are elements that can affect your vision.

Eye exams are an essential component of overall wellness. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will assess much more than your vision prescription. Your doctor will test for common eye diseases and conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataract development. The doctor will also assess how your eyes work together and evaluate the health of your retina, optic nerve, and retinal blood vessels. Comprehensive eye exams actually offer an accurate indication of your overall health because optometrists are often the first healthcare professionals to detect chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

An essential part of any comprehensive eye exam is the refraction test, or as it is more commonly called a vision test. This gives the doctor an idea of what kind of prescription you may need. Your doctor will recommend the best method for giving you the clearest, sharpest vision.

Based on your specific case, the doctor may perform any of the following tests:

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 Visual Field Test

Your visual field is the area that you see while looking at a specific object. For example, when you look at a car, your eyes are focused on it, but you may also see things that surround the car, such as flowers on the ground or rain falling on the windshield. A visual field test examines your ability to see what is in this direct area. Certain eye conditions or neurological disorders can negatively impact your visual field, which is why this test is an essential part of a comprehensive eye exam.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 Binocular Vision Assessment

Similar to how binoculars allow you to use both eyes simultaneously when looking at something far away, binocular vision is the ability of your left and right eye to focus on an image or object so that your brain “translates” the image into understanding what you’re seeing. At its basic level, binocular vision means how the eyes work together as a team.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 Color Evaluation

A color evaluation tests the ability to differentiate between colors. It is usually done with Ishihara color plates, a series of round circles with colored dots inside that form a number. The patient studies the image, either on paper or on a computer screen, and determines if they can clearly see the number.  This is an important test because difficulty distinguishing between red and green often is a sign of color blindness.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 Corneal Mapping

Corneal Mapping is a process involving the measurement of the cornea. Our Eye Doctors use a computerized system and/or a keratometer to collect exact details about the size and shape of your cornea. This is done to ensure that the curvature and size are correct, which allows light to enter your eye so that you can focus on images and see clearly.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 OPTOS Retinal Exam

OPTOS retinal imaging is developed by Optos, a UK-based retinal imaging company. The OPTOS Retinal Exam is now available at McCormick Vision Source and is unique in providing a wide range image of the retina. This wide imaging has significantly more detail than traditional eye scans, which can allow the doctor to identify and diagnose retinal problems which may be affecting your vision.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 iCare Tonometry

At McCormick Vision Source, we use the Icare® ic100, a device that uses patented rebound technology to measure intraocular pressure. This device is based on a rebound measuring principle that requires no drops or air puff. Icare's proprietary algorithm, combined with state-of-the-art software brings IOP measuring to a higher level.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 OCT Scan

Similar to a traditional CT scan, an OCT Scan (Optical Coherence Tomography) checks for eye diseases by examining the layers of your retina and optic nerve. This test involves the use of a laser with light to provide the doctor with detailed, colored images of the retina. There is no radiation and the test is painless and non-invasive.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 Visual Acuity Test

Visual Acuity is the ability to see clear, sharp images from various distances. To test this skill, the doctor will instruct you to look at an eye chart in various types of bright lighting. The smallest letters or numbers that you can clearly see determines your level of visual acuity.

arrow-circle-right-3 arrow-circle-right-3 Refraction Exam

A refraction exam is considered a basic part of an eye and vision evaluation. Refraction is how you see things around you. When there is an imperfection in the refraction of your eye, it causes blurry vision. The 2 main vision problems from refractive issues are nearsightedness and farsightedness. The doctor may conduct this simple test by shining a light into your eyes to check how the light bends through it, or a computerized test may also be used.

How Long Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Take?

Due to the meticulous detail taken for your eye care, a comprehensive eye exam can take up to one hour. It’s a complete workup of your visual health, so that our optometrists can make sure your vision is at its best, helping you enjoy life to the fullest.

No two patients are alike. Should the doctor discover any eye conditions that need treatment, we will create a customized treatment plan for your particular needs.

eye doctor, children eye exam in Austin, TX

Children's Eye Exams in Austin

Because our young patients grow so quickly, their vision is vastly different than adults. Toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents each have their own needs at these various stages of life, so it’s crucial to have their eyes thoroughly examined on a regular basis. Education experts say that 80% of learning is visual. In fact, many issues related to learning and extracurricular activities can be eye-related.

Difficulty concentrating or acting fidgety can often be misdiagnosed as ADHD when in reality, the child has developed vision problems. Symptoms can include headaches, tiredness from schoolwork or playing sports, or excessive squinting at the board. Children develop rapidly, especially in the early childhood years. This is why doctors recommend regular exams to check how their vision is advancing and to detect any potential problems. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends regular eye exams at age 6 months, 3 years, when a child begins school, and every 2 years after that.