Eye Exams
At Dr. Rebekah Smith’s office, we strive to provide comprehensive, primary eye care for the whole family. Preventative and routine eye exams are important to maintaining good eye health. Often, eye and vision problems do not have obvious symptoms or signs but are easily diagnosed by a licensed optometrist. By diagnosing eye and vision conditions early on, our optometrist is able to provide treatment options and in many cases restore or prevent vision loss. The American Optometric Association recommends yearly or bi-yearly eye and vision exams, depending on whether you are at-risk or not.
Eye Exam and Consultation
During an eye exam, Dr. Rebekah Smith will ask you questions about any symptoms or issues you are experiencing, medications you are currently taking, any blurry vision, your work environment, and your overall health. Family history and previous eye or vision conditions will also be discussed during this part of the examination. Dr. Smith will consider this information when determining any treatments or recommendations.
Vision Testing
Regular vision testing and evaluations ensure that you always have the clearest vision possible. Our St. Petersburg optometrist provides regular vision acuity tests as part of a comprehensive eye exam. Dr. Smith will measure how each eye is seeing by using a wall eye chart and a reading eye chart. The results of these tests are portrayed as a fraction, with 20/20 being the standard for normal distance and reading vision. Depending on the results of your vision test, Dr. Smith may prescribe corrective glasses, contacts, or eye exercises.
Eye Function Testing
In addition to vision testing, an eye exam in our St. Petersburg office includes testing eye functionality. Our optometrist performs several tests to evaluate depth perception, color vision, eye muscle capabilities, peripheral vision, and responsiveness to light. Several other simple tests are completed to determine whether the eyes are focusing, moving, and working together properly. The test results enable Dr. Smith to diagnose any underlying conditions that may be impairing the eye’s ability to focus or work together.
Eye Health
As part of a comprehensive eye exam, our St. Petersburg optometrist examines the overall health of the eye through a visual examination and tonometry. Dr. Smith evaluates eye health by visually inspecting the eye and eyelids using magnification and a bright light. To examine the internal structures of the eye, we may dilate the pupils. Increased eye pressure may be an indicator of glaucoma, so we utilize tonometry to measure eye pressure. After completing these short tests, Dr. Smith reviews the results and discusses any necessary treatment options with you. Contact us at (727) 800-4411 today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
Pediatric Exams
Finding a great optometrist for your children’s eye exam can be difficult. There is a range of things to keep in mind and it can be hard to find a doctor that you trust your little one’s eyes to. While the basics of a pediatric eye exam are like an adult exam, they are not the same, and knowing what to expect can help to relieve some of the anxiety your child and you might feel. For those in the Seminole or Madeira Beach area, Dr. Rebekah Smith’s office can help improve your children’s vision.
What to Expect during a Children’s Eye Exam
There is a range of different things that you should consider when it comes to an eye exam for a child. The first step is of course to do a visual exam of the exterior of the eye. Your pediatric eye doctor will look at the eye and see if there are any obvious abnormalities that need to be addressed. Your child’s eye doctor will also check your child’s depth perception with the help of a stereo fly test or a similar test.
This test requires that the child put on special 3D glasses then pinch the wings of the fly to see if their depth perception is working. Your child will also be asked to undergo a vision test, a pupil test, and an eye movement test. If your child does not recognize letters, the eye exam chart will include easily identifiable pictures. The doctor may also ask your child if they are having any issues and then will work on creating a prescription if there is one from the information collected.
Why Children’s Eye Exams Matter
In most locations, an eye exam is required for a child to enter school as a measure to make sure that they are going to have the best chance at success possible. Early eye exams before the age of 8 when the eyes slow their development can also help to treat conditions like lazy eye and can help to stabilize prescriptions so that your child does not have as bad of a prescription. Early eye exams also can catch health issues well before they become serious and can help to improve your child’s focus and ability to do things that they need to do and love to do.
Call Dr. Rebekah Smith’s office today!
At Dr. Rebekah Smith’s office in the Seminole and St. Pete area, we work to make sure that each child can get the care that they need. We work to comfort your child and make their exam as seamless and easy as possible. You can contact us at (727) 800-4411 to schedule your appointment today!
Contact Lenses
Not sure that glasses are for you? Ask our St. Petersburg staff about contact lenses. Advances in the field of optometry have produced a variety of different types of contact lenses with a range of benefits. Rigid gas-permeable (RGP), daily-wear soft, extended-wear, extended-wear disposable, and planned replacement are the various types of contact lens options available today. Our St. Petersburg optometrist will discuss the various options with you to determine which type will best fit your needs and lifestyle. Schedule your examination today by calling (727) 800-4411.
There are many advantages to consider when determining if contact lenses are right for you and our knowledgeable staff is here to answer any questions.