Hero Exam Photo

Comprehensive Eye Exam vs. Contact Exam: What's the Difference?

If you are considering going to an eye doctor at Clarkson Eyecare, it's important to first understand that all visits are not the same. Making an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam can help determine how healthy your eyes are and if your vision has changed. But if you're hoping to also get contact lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, this exam won't be enough.

The last thing you want is to find out the appointment you've scheduled is not what you expected. When it comes to booking a comprehensive eye exam vs. a contact lens exam, here's what you'll want to know beforehand. Learn more about these two types of exams you can receive at Clarkson Eyecare, and which is best for you.

Why Should You Get a Comprehensive Exam?

Getting your eyes regularly tested should be a priority. A comprehensive eye exam not only detects changes in vision, but also determines the health of your eyes. While you might expect to notice if something is wrong with your eyes, there are actually some eye diseases that have no obvious signs in the early stages.

Usually, the earlier you catch and treat serious eye conditions, the less likely you are to suffer vision loss. This makes booking an appointment at Clarkson Eyecare all the more important. Common eye diseases that your optometrist may check for include:

Cataracts: This is caused by a clouding of the lens and could lead to vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy: This disease damages blood vessels in the eye and if left untreated could lead to blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration: This involves the breakdown over time of a portion of the eye's light-sensitive tissue.

Glaucoma: This includes a group of eye diseases that can result in vision loss due to optic nerve damage.

What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

The purpose of a period comprehensive eye exam is to maintain your eye's health. During the exam, a Clarkson Eyecare doctor will check your vision to determine how clearly you are seeing, as well as detect any sight problems and prevent vision loss that may occur if left untreated. You can expect to undergo a variety of tests, depending on what your doctor feels are necessary. To get a better idea, the Clarkson Eyecare optical care team will first take a patient history. Then, they may conduct some of the following tests:

Visual acuity test: This helps to determine how well you are seeing and usually involves reading letters off a chart on the wall.

Testing refraction: This test involves finding the lens power needed for you to see clearly.

Eye dilation: For this, your doctor will administer special eye drops to temporarily expand the pupil. This allows them to see what's going on inside the eye and make sure all the structures are healthy.

Pressure testing: This checks the pressure of your eye and helps to ensure you are not developing certain diseases, such as glaucoma.

Visual field test: This test will check your vision for possible blind spots.

Stereopsis exam: This tests for depth perception.

Colorblindness test: This will show your doctor if you are having trouble perceiving certain colors.

Understanding the Contact Lens Exam

If you're hoping to replace your eyeglasses and wear contacts instead, this requires additional tests that are not given during a typical comprehensive exam.Contact lenses are categorized as medical devices and need specific testing. When scheduling your appointment at Clarkson Eyecare, let the staff member know that you're seeking contact lenses. Our doctors can often complete the contact lens exam in conjunction with your comprehensive eye appointment.

All of this will help your optometrist understand the type of lens and prescription that's best for you. After the initial exam, your optometrist will ask you to come back for a follow-up appointment to be certain that the prescription is working for you and your lenses fit as they should. In the contact lens exam, you can expect your optometrist to do the following:

  • Measure the size and shape of your eye to ensure your lenses fit properly and are comfortable.

  • Conduct tests to be sure you don't have any issues that could interfere with successful lens wear.

  • Measure your cornea, the clear outer surface of your eye, to find the right curvature and size for your lenses. If your eye has an irregular curvature, you may need to be fitted for what's known as a toric contact lens. This can help to compensate for some distortions and provide better vision. Learn more about Clarkson Eyecare’s specialty contact lens services

  • Measure both your pupils and irises to make sure the lenses fit well.

Man wearing contact lenses during hike joy of sight outdoors

Making the Choice: Comprehensive Eye Exam vs. Contact Exam

Even if your contact lens fitting is done at the same time as your comprehensive eye exam, keep in mind that additional testing will take a bit more time and will likely involve an additional fee.

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what type of appointment is best for your needs. However, the doctors and staff at Clarkson Eyecare are glad to help and answer any questions. So don't be afraid to call our office and discuss the options before making your choice.

Schedule an Eye Exam at Clarkson Eyecare

Whether you’re needing a comprehensive eye exam, a contact lens exam and fitting, or both, our optometrists are glad to help. Find a location near you and schedule an appointment today.

Shea Boulevard
Shea Boulevard
Union
Fairview Heights
Springhurst
Sharpsburg
Loveland
Alpharetta
Clarksville
Ballwin
Rock Hill
Chanhassen
Independence Plaza
The Spec Shoppe: St. Joseph
Lakeland
Fern Creek
Calvert City
Lone Oak
Paducah
Benton
Valrico
Highland
Snellville
Wesley Chapel
Mayfield
Murray
Mason and Manchester
Anderson
Wooster
Swansea
Elk River 
Centerville
Blue Ash
Overland
Austell (EW Connector)
Lilburn
Shakopee
West Chester Tylersville
Northfield
West Park
Navarre
Farmington
Collinsville
Sea Girt Mall
Countryside
Plant City North
Tampa (Busch)
Trinity
Pavilion Crossing
Lutz Sunlake Centre
Kissimmee
Elizabethtown
Dublin
Bricktown
Oxboro
Green
Downtown St. Louis
Bardstown
Medina
Washington
Riverview
Suwanee
Vinings
Pleasant Hill
Conyers
Braselton
Okemos
Miramar
Jennings
Florissant Dunn Rd.
Tecumseh
Clifton
Milford
South Columbus
Waterloo
Woodbine
Gulf Breeze
Ann Arbor Plymouth
Keller
Woodlands
Stonebrook
Legacy
Cold Spring
Affton
Delaware
Davis Highway
Imperial
Downtown Columbus
Middletown
Matawan
Hazlet Plaza
Haslett
Towncenter Plaza (Sterling)
Red Bank
Howell Township
Fredericksburg
Eatontown
Lake Ridge
Manchester
Riverview Vision Performance Center
79 Crossing
Shiloh
Middleburg Heights
New Albany
North Lebanon
Coventry
Alliance
Mansfield
Westerville
Virginia Beach
Centralia
Maryland Heights
Nine Mile
Creve Coeur
Edwardsville Club Center
Mariemont
Belleville
Perryville
Southeast Novi
West Camino Del Sol
Dearborn Heights
Fairfield
Marysville
Warrenton
Town Street
Town & Country Crossing
Bexley
Alton
Columbia Broadway
Wentzville
Chesterfield
Brunswick
Maplewood
Three Rivers
Shepherdsville
Bogey Hills
Ann Arbor on Main
Worthington
Lake St. Louis
West Broad St.
Hilliard
Grand River
Edwardsville Crossing
Delta Township
Saline
West Chester Union Centre
Columbia Rock Bridge Red Oak
Lebanon
Wildwood
Pacific
Butler Hill
Arnold Park Mall
Berryhill
Ft. Mitchell
Perdido
Kenwood
Harrison
Tesson Ferry
Telegraph Plaza
South County
St. Louis Hills
Central West End
South Grand
Kettering
Reynoldsburg
Eureka
O'Fallon South
94 Crossing
Arnold
Franconia
Valley Station
141 & Olive
Chesterfield Valley
Columbia
Festus
Beacon Center (Alexandria)
Fenton
Breese
Lake Lansing Rd.
Western Hills
Florissant HWY 67
Kirkwood
O'Fallon North
Manassas
Mt. Orab
Morrow
Gahanna
Webster Groves
Troy
Clayton
High Ridge
Ellisville
Brentwood Pointe
Mt. Vernon
Godfrey
Fort Walton