What to Expect During a Comprehensive Eye Exam

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Are you confused about what an eye exam really is, or what the difference is between an eye exam and a comprehensive eye exam in Falls Church, VA? You’re not the only one. But it’s really quite clear (like your vision will be after a comprehensive eye exam!). A comprehensive eye exam is more than just checking your vision; it assesses the overall health of your eyes and can detect early signs of eye conditions or other health problems. Comprehensive eye exams are often needed when the person has special concerns or underlying issues like a history of glaucoma, diabetes or other things. To get to the point, here’s what you can expect during a typical comprehensive eye exam.

Review of Medical History and Vision Concerns

Your comprehensive eye exam will begin with a discussion of your medical history and any vision concerns you may have. The optometrist will ask about current medications, past eye conditions, and any family history of eye diseases. If you’ve experienced changes in vision or symptoms like eye strain or headaches, this is the time to speak up!.

Vision Tests

The core part of the exam involves checking your visual acuity, or how clearly you can see at various distances. If you need corrective lenses, the optometrist will perform a refraction test to determine your prescription. You’ll look through different lens options, indicating which ones provide clearer vision. You’re probably very familiar with this part, unless you’ve never visited the eye doctor before, which we hope is not true!

Eye Health Assessment

Next, your optometrist will examine the external and internal structures. This may include shining a light into your eyes to check how your pupils react and using a slit-lamp microscope to inspect the front part of the eye, including the cornea and lens. Tonometry may also be performed, which measures the pressure inside your eye and screens for glaucoma.

There’s a lot more to comprehensive eye exams, but you can review all the particulars with your optometrist in Falls Church, VA when you visit Nova Vision Center. Contact us today to book your appointment!

 3 Possible Causes of Sudden Blindness

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Imagine you’re just going along in your day, minding your own business when all of a sudden you’re struck blind. Or your elderly aunt starts claiming that she keeps going blind for minutes at a time but then her vision is restored. You might think you’re losing it, or your aunt is getting senile. But sudden blindness is a real phenomenon that signals a serious condition. If it happens to you or a loved one, you should book an appointment with an eye doctor in Falls Church, VAright away. Below are some possible culprits:

1. Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is when the retina separates from its normal position. This condition can cause sudden blindness, often preceded by symptoms like flashes of light or floating spots in your vision. It can also happen from a severe fall or accident, such as a motor vehicle accident. Without prompt medical treatment, the blindness can become permanent.

2. Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain. This condition often results in sudden vision loss in one eye, along with eye pain, particularly when moving the eye. Then, just as suddenly, vision can come back. So your aunt is not senile after all.

3. Retinal Artery Occlusion

A blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the retina, known as retinal artery occlusion, can lead to sudden and severe vision loss. This is sometimes referred to as an “eye stroke,” and immediate medical attention is crucial for any chance of recovery.

Immediate medical attention is crucial in all cases of sudden blindness, so don’t hesitate to contact your eye doctor for emergency eye care in Falls Church, VA. Nova Vision Center is here to help!

4 Common Vision Problems

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Vision problems can happen out of nowhere. That said, it’s important to understand the common vision conditions that many people experience today.

In this post, we’ll discuss the most common eye and vision problems.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to sharp and central vision issues. Those with the condition may have trouble with reading and driving. In fact, AMD can make seeing any object more difficult. The condition impacts the macula, a vital part of your retina that helps you see fine details. There are two types of AMD—wet AMD and dry AMD.

If you’re struggling with macular degeneration, help is out there. Here at Nova Vision Center, we’re happy to offer the most trusted macular degeneration treatment in Falls Church, VA. Call us today to make an appointment!

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors consist of multiple conditions that can cause vision issues. These include:

  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Astigmatism (blurry vision at all distances)
  • Presbyopia (inability to focus up close)

Refractive errors are the most common eye conditions in the United States. Luckily, glasses, contacts, and even surgery can effectively treat these issues.

Cataracts

Cataracts is another very common condition, especially for those over 40. This issue causes clouding of the eye lens, which can lead to severe problems with your vision. The good news is that treatment to remove cataracts is widely available.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma consists of multiple conditions that can damage your eye’s optic nerve. Unfortunately, this can result in vision loss and even blindness. Early treatment is a great way to lower the chances of severe vision loss.

Nova Vision Center can treat a wide variety of eye and vision problems. Contact us today to work with the leading eye doctor in Falls Church, VA!

What’s Included in a Diabetic Eye Exam?

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When you have diabetes, it’s essential to have a diabetic eye exam in Falls Church, VA. These eye exams differ from ordinary eye exams, in that they focus especially on eye conditions related to the disease known as diabetes. Nova Vision Center offers diabetic eye exams to new and current patients. Here’s an idea of what’s included in a diabetic eye exam.

Medical History

First, your optometrist will ask about your vision history, if you are a new patient. You should inform them of any changes in your eyesight, as well as how long you’ve had diabetes, what medications you’re taking and any special issues you’re encountering.

Visual Acuity

Next, the optometrist will appraise your ability to make out numbers and letters under a variety of conditions. This is because diabetes can cause dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which often changes a person’s visual acuity.

Dilation

The optometrist will dilate the pupils in order to get a better view of the optic nerve, retina and blood vessels inside the eye. This diagnostic test helps to uncover diabetic retinopathy, a common condition associated with diabetes.

Intraocular Pressure Measurement

The optometrist will also measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) to check for signs of glaucoma, another common complication of diabetes. Elevated IOP can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.

Why do You Need a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Diabetes doesn’t just affect the body. It’s one of the top causes of blindness in individuals over the age of 40. This is why, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, you should let your optometrist in Falls Church, VA know, so you can get a special diabetic eye exam each time you come in. Contact us to learn more.

Corneal Scratches

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Cornea scratches are a type of eye injury that can cause vision loss in some cases. If you have injured your eye and are now dealing with blurred vision or a scratchy, irritated feeling, it’s important to come to see our emergency eye care team atNova Vision Center in Falls Church, Virginia. We can help you get the medical attention you need.

What Are Corneal Scratches?

Corneal scratches, also known as corneal abrasions, are injuries that affect the protective cover of the eye. The cornea’s top layer, the corneal epithelium, can be scratched due to contact with debris such as metal debris, the edge of a piece of paper, sand, and other irritants.

What Are the Symptoms of Corneal Scratches?

If you’ve injured your eye or debris has gotten into it, you may have symptoms of a corneal scratch. Common symptoms include:

  • Tearing up/watery eyes
  • A feeling like you have something in your eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Redness
  • Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
  • A headache
  • Pain

It’s important not to ignore the symptoms. Instead, you need to take action.

You can begin first aid by rinsing out your eye with a saline solution. You can also pull your upper eyelid over the lower one to cause tearing, which can help flush the eye. Then, call our emergency care team, and we’ll set up a time to have you come in for an exam and to identify a corneal scratch if you have one.

Get Emergency Eye Care at Nova Vision Center

A corneal scratch can be minor or lead to infection and threaten your vision, so it’s important to seek care as soon as you can. Our emergency eye care team is waiting to help here at Nova Vision Center in Falls Church, VA. Call today and we’ll ensure you get the support you need.

Diabetic Retinopathy

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If you live with diabetes, the importance of a diabetic eye exam cannot be overstated. There are complications that can occur with your chronic illness, one of which is diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy affects around a third of people with diabetes and can lead to blindness. At Nova Vision Center in Falls Church, VA, we want to help protect your sight with a diabetic eye exam that identifies the early stages of trouble with your vision.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the retina, the part of the eye that helps transmit what you see to the brain. When you regularly have high blood sugar levels, the small blood vessels that connect to the retina can rupture. When they do, they can damage the retina.

After that happens, new blood vessels can grow, but that process can lead to your retina detaching or getting damaged. And, additional fluid in the region can negatively affect the macula (which allows you to see detail and color).

Repeated damage can lead to permanent vision loss.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is most likely if you have high blood sugar levels combined with risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Symptoms don’t usually occur during early stages. As the illness progresses, you may begin to notice double vision, blurry vision, floaters, or vision loss.

Get Diabetic Eye Care at Nova Vision Center

Diabetes can be a challenging disease, but with the right care, you can help prevent the complications of high blood sugars. At Nova Vision Center in Falls Church, VA, our diabetic eye exam is designed to detect early signs of trouble with your eyes and help you avoid vision loss. Contact us today to set up an appointment and protect your vision.

Does Myopia Disappear in Later Years?

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If you have myopia and wear glasses or contact lenses in Falls Church, VA, you may wish that there was a way to correct your vision once and for all. While myopia may get a little bit better naturally over time, it will never disappear all by itself.

What Causes Myopia?

One of the primary causes of myopia is an elongated shape of the eye. This causes light rays entering the eye to miss their target. They bend or refract, which causes blurry eyesight; specifically nearsightedness.

Over time, the elongation of the eye becomes less pronounced. This affects vision and can make a person’s eyesight become “less” myopic. In other words, their nearsightedness might be less severe, and they may experience an improvement in vision. This mild improvement may continue as time goes on, or it may stop at some time. However, the fact that nearsightedness is lessening gives some people the idea that myopia disappears in later years. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true.

Myopia Control is Possible

While the bad news is that myopia doesn’t go away altogether, it can be controlled so that it doesn’t worsen. For the millions of people who suffer from this condition, that’s good news. When vision stabilizes, it means you can enjoy better vision with your existing prescription, instead of having to change your contacts or eyeglasses prescription more frequently. It also means that your eye doctor in Falls Church, VA can get a baseline measurement of your vision, to use as a guide to see how your eyesight fares over time.

No one wants to live with myopia, but at the very least you can ensure that your eyesight doesn’t worsen when you have some control over the myopia. Contact us to learn more.

The Three Best Ways to Prevent Serious Vision Problems

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At Nova Vision Center in Falls Church, VA, our professional team is dedicated to the health and well-being of your eyes. We perform diagnostic testing, fit you for contact lenses, help you select new prescription eyewear, and monitor the health of your eyes from childhood through your senior years.

What Are the Best Ways to Ensure Continuing Eye Health?

We believe it is our duty to help our patients see the world clearly and well, no matter their age or visual concerns. Here’s how:

Have a Comprehensive Initial Eye Exam

Periodic visual screenings are the primary way to determine the health and condition of your eyes. Monitoring your vision and the health of your eyes is every bit as important as regular physical exams to maintain overall health and well-being. Your trained professional at Nova Vision Center will monitor changes and recommend action when, and if needed, to protect your vision.

Schedule Regular Vision Checks

Whether or not you need prescription lenses or wear contacts, regular checkups are vital. Changes in vision can not only affect your lifestyle but might be warning signs of other serious issues. Your professional will most likely perform a visual field check and screen for common issues such as Macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, light sensitivity, and other age-related problems. If you’re diabetic, periodic evaluation for signs of diabetic retinopathy is imperative.

Take Prompt Action to Address Problems

If you notice abrupt changes in vision, or if you see floaters, experience pain, or suspect any kind of injury or disease, don’t postpone making an appointment to determine the cause. Further damage can be prevented through prompt action for conditions as serious as a detached retina. If left untreated, however, some conditions may lead to permanent sight loss.

 

Want to Know More?

Contact us at Nova Vision Center if you have any questions. We will work with you and your family to provide the proper level of care for young children and aging parents. Your sight is our first priority. Won’t you call to schedule an initial appointment today?

In Case of Emergency

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Let’s face it. Accidents happen, and vision-related emergencies are not unusual. Nova Vision Center has been serving families in Falls Church, VA, for more than 70 years, and we understand the angst a patient suffers when faced with a vision abnormality of any kind. We are prepared to deal with emergencies in a variety of ways.

The immediate action you take will depend primarily on the symptoms of distress or type of injury. The first step is to remain as calm as possible and seek help. In case of severe injury, seek emergency care as quickly as possible.

 

What Constitutes an Emergency?

There can be multiple reasons for sudden vision problems. Call or visit our office to schedule an emergency appointment if your vision changes suddenly, if you experience pain or flashing lights, or if your field of vision is suddenly altered or narrowed, or if your vision becomes blurred for no reason. Try not to rub your eyes or apply pressure. And don’t use drops or other OTC treatments to self-medicate.

If you sustain a sports injury or if a foreign particle is lodged in an eye, try to cover that eye and get to an emergency room or your eye doctor immediately. Don’t attempt to drive yourself in the event of a serious injury.

Remember: the faster you get professional aid, the better your chances are of protecting your sight and preventing further damage to your vision and/or your eyes.

 

In Case of Recurring Problems

Sometimes, vision problems may not seem serious at the time. But if you experience periodic pain, see light flashes, or are plagued by differing kinds of vision issues over time, it’s time to schedule an assessment with a trained and caring professional who can determine the cause of your problem.

Don’t delay making that appointment. We at Nova Vision Center stand ready to help.

What is the Purpose of a Diabetic Eye Exam?

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Youroptometrist in Falls Church, VA, serves many purposes beyond giving you a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. At Nova Vision Center, we’re proud to offer diagnoses and treatment for a wide range of optometric problems, including things like dry eye syndrome, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, to name a few. One of the ways that we diagnose certain problems is through a diabetic eye exam. If you’re unsure of the purpose of this important kind of optometric exam, read on.

What is a Diabetic Eye Exam?

A diabetic eye exam is a special eye exam designed to detect warning signs of eye endangerment due to diabetes and related disorders. The primary focus of a diabetic eye exam is to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy, the most common and one of the most serious eye conditions associated with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. This damage can lead to blood and other fluids leaking into the retina, causing swelling and the formation of deposits known as exudates. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can progress to more severe forms, potentially leading to retinal detachment or severe vision loss. This is why it’s so crucial to have a diabetic eye exam regularly if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

How is a Diabetic Eye Exam Done?

A comprehensive diabetic eye exam typically includes a visual acuity test and pupil dilation to examine the retina and optic nerve thoroughly, as well as possibly the use of imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography. These tests provide detailed images of the eye structures and can reveal changes not visible through routine eye exams. Whether or not you’ve been officially diagnosed with diabetes, you should get a diabetic eye exam on occasion. Interestingly, sometimes a person is unaware they have diabetes until an optometrist conducts a diabetic eye exam and sees the warning signs.

Remember, even persons without diabetes should get adiabetic eye exam in Falls Church, VA. This kind of exam can only reveal warning signs that your eyesight might be in danger. Contact us today to book yours.