Comprehensive Eye Exams in
Spokane & Spokane Valley
Protect your vision at every age with thorough, personalized eye exams from the trusted team at Eye Consultants NW—detecting issues early and keeping your eyes healthy for life.
What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
A thorough eye examination consists of a variety of standard tests designed to measure visual acuity and other vision faculties, as well as observe the health of the eye and check for common eye diseases. There is no pain or discomfort associated with an exam, and they typically take less than an hour.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter
General eye exams can diagnose a variety of eye conditions early on and are the best way to preserve good vision. For children, strabismus (crossed eye) and amblyopia (lazy eye) can often be diagnosed and treated in early childhood, avoiding life-long vision impairment. Also, rare eye conditions from birth (like congenital cataracts) can be diagnosed and treated.
For all ages, refraction tests can determine whether prescription eyewear would be beneficial, and what power is necessary. Many serious eye diseases can also be diagnosed before noticeable symptoms occur—early detection may prevent significant vision loss.
Recommended Eye Exam Schedule by Age
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Infants (0–3 years): Vision checks as part of routine pediatric visits
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Preschoolers (3–6 years): Exams every 1–2 years
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Children & Teens: As recommended based on symptoms or school screening outcomes
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Adults (20s–30s): At least one exam in your 20s, two in your 30s
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Adults (40+): Every 2–4 years, or more often if at risk
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Seniors (60+): Every 1–2 years
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People with Diabetes or Eye Conditions: At least once a year, or as advised
Regular exams are essential for managing diagnosed eye conditions or monitoring hereditary risks.
Common tests and evaluations during an eye exam include:
- Introductory interview: The doctor will ask basic questions about a patient’s medical history and eye health history.
- External examination: The doctor inspects all outward visible parts of the eye and surrounding tissue.
- Pupil inspection: The patient’s pupils will be inspected for equal size and regular shape. Then the doctor tests how they react to light and objects at various distances.
- Eye muscle health and mobility: Eye movement is checked in six directions (corresponding to the six extraocular muscles), as well as tracking a moving object (such as a pen).
- Visual field: The patient covers one eye at a time, and with the other eye gazing straight ahead, identifies objects in peripheral vision (often simply the number of fingers the doctor is showing.)
- Visual acuity: A common means of measuring visual acuity is the Snellen chart. This is a large card or projection with progressively smaller horizontal lines of random block letters. The test determines how well a patient can discern detail at a given distance. Patients taking this test will cover one eye and then read aloud the letters of each row, starting from the top. The smallest row that can be accurately read indicates the patient´s visual acuity in that eye.
- Refraction: This test is used to find the best-corrected vision, if necessary for prescription eyewear or contacts. The doctor will try various lenses in front of each eye, as the patient focuses on a chart at a distance or up-close, to help determine the best power of correction.
- Color vision: The doctor shows the patient a series of images with symbols embedded in color dots or patterns. Based upon the patient’s ability to identify the symbols, certain types of colorblindness can be diagnosed or ruled out.
- Ophthalmoscopy: This test is often done with an ophthalmoscope, a handheld instrument with a light and magnifying lenses. Alternatively, the doctor may use other means, such as a slit lamp, which affords a more three-dimensional view. Ophthalmoscopy aims to inspect the retina and surrounding internal eye. This test can help diagnose problems with the retina or detachment of the retina, and monitor diseases like glaucoma and diabetes. An opacity in the eye can indicate a cataract. Sometimes the doctor will dilate the pupils with eye drops, to gain a wider view of the internal eye.
- Tonometry: This test measures intraocular pressure, which can be a sign of glaucoma if pressure is abnormally high. Internal eye pressure is measured either with a puff of air at the cornea or brief direct contact with the cornea, to measure how easily it is pushed inward.
As always, I give you all a five-star rating. I was especially appreciative of your getting me in on very short notice yesterday when I was experiencing some unusual pain in my left eye. By the way, the Durezol drops that Dr. Derzay recommended I use again for awhile have already made a BIG difference in relieving the pain, so, again, I am a happy camper. I would always recommend you for any kind of eye problem or surgery.
– Diana Hays
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