As you’re searching for an affordable eye exam from clinics like Dr. Tavel, you have probably come across two things: Medical eye exams and routine vision exams.
What’s the difference? Can you interchange the two or opt for whatever’s most convenient?
No, there are differences between these two exams, and what you need will depend on your individual needs. Before you head to an eye doctor in Avon, make sure you know the difference between the two exams so you know what you need.
About Medical Eye Exams
You might be going to the eye doctor for a routine eye exam, only for him to see something may be wrong. If ever your eye doctor is concerned as he evaluates you, then he will most likely shift to a comprehensive medical eye exam.
Or you feel something is wrong with your eye and head to your eye doctor for a medical eye exam.
Either way, comprehensive medical eye exams are done for doctors to develop a deeper understanding of their patient’s medical and vision histories, which may be impactful with their current vision or symptoms felt within their eyes.
After the eye doctor takes note of his patient’s medical and vision history, he will then conduct a series of tests to evaluate the patient’s eyes. Some tests performed would assess the eyes’ dryness, pressure, muscle function, and more. Furthermore, the eye doctor might dilate his patient’s eyes to check for any other harmful eye conditions like retinal problems or cataracts.
Eye doctors that perform comprehensive medical eye exams can diagnose specific medical issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, macular degeneration, retinal detachments, and more. These are eye conditions that contacts or eyeglasses can’t fix and must be treated appropriately.
Afterward, a diagnosis and treatment plan can be made. Besides that, an eye doctor may update his patient’s prescription and choose new contact lenses or frames.
There are many steps to take during a comprehensive eye exam, but these are essential to do regularly to maintain good eye health.
About Routine Vision Exams
Routine eye exams consist of fewer steps than medical eye exams. During these exams, an eye doctor will check his patient’s vision, screen eyes for any common diseases, and update prescriptions for glasses or contacts, as needed.
Routine eye exams would also provide a diagnosis if any, though it would differ from diagnoses in medical eye exams. Diagnoses from routine eye exams are usually for non-medical complaints, like to diagnose and treat farsightedness.
Routine vision exams aren’t considered medical exams, but are best done if your vision is beginning to blur, meaning it’s time for a prescription.
Medical eye exams would be billed to your medical insurance while routine vision exams are billed to your vision insurance or paid upfront.
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, you are now more familiar with the difference between the medical eye exam and routine vision exam. Now, you’ll be able to know what eye doctor you need and the exam you should avail of.
