EYE TESTS

Dr. Panzer recommends a yearly exam for everyone! During your eye examination by Dr. Panzer, tests are conducted using special equipment to assess general eye health and detect abnormal vision conditions or eye diseases. Here are some tests that you can expect during your regular eye exam:

Binocular Vision Testing

For patients who skip lines or have to use their finger while reading.

Color Vision Testing

Click here to take our online test to see if you might have a color vision deficiency.

Visual Acuity Test

Visual acuity refers to the clarity or clearness of one’s vision, a measure of how well a person sees. The word “acuity” comes from the Latin acuitas, which means sharpness. The reason that the number “20” is used in visual acuity measurements is that, in the United States, the standard length of an eye exam room (that is, the distance from the patient to the acuity chart) is about 20 feet. Someone with 20/20 visual acuity does not have “perfect” vision since it is quite possible to see better than 20/20. The less the bottom number in the visual acuity ratio, the better the acuity; and the greater the bottom number, the worse the acuity. Therefore, 20/15 acuity is better than 20/20 acuity, and 20/30 acuity is worse than 20/20 acuity.

Keratometer

A diagnostic instrument for measuring the curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, particularly for assessing the extent and axis of astigmatism. It was invented by the French ophthalmologist Samuel Hankins in 1880. Used to design and fit contact lenses and monitor certain corneal pathology.

Refraction

The degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism is determined during this test. A series of lenses are used and adjusted before your eyes to determine the best correction.

Ophthalmoscopy

Dr. Panzer examines the inside of your eyes with an instrument that illuminates and magnifies the interior of the eye. Conditions such as cataracts, diabetes or hypertension can be detected.

Visual Field Testing

A visual field test is a method of measuring an individual’s entire scope of vision, that is their central and peripheral (side) vision. Visual field testing actually maps the visual fields of each eye individually. The visual field test is a subjective examination, requiring the patient to understand the testing instructions, fully cooperate, and complete the entire test in order to provide useful information.

Topography

Corneal topography–also known as videokeratography or corneal mapping–represents a significant advance in the measurement of corneal curvature over keratometry. Keratometry measures the corneal curvature over a small area. Topography measures the curvature over a larger area allowing the doctor to detect corneal abnormalities and follow them more closely.

Tonometry

This test measures the internal pressure of the eye. Tonometry is very important as it is used to establish pressure goals in treating glaucoma and monitoring patients suspicious of having glaucoma. There are numerous instruments which are employed in order to verify the accuracy of your eye pressure.

Non-Contact Tonometry

This is the familiar “air puff” instrument.

Goldman Tonometry

Considered the gold standard. Utilizes an applanation device to measure intraocular pressure.

Tono-Pen

An easy to use, a portable, hand-held instrument which provides fast and accurate IOP readings comparable to the Goldmann Applanation Tonometer. Utilizing microstrain gage technology, and a 1.5mm transducer tip, the Tono-Pen gently contacts the cornea, and displays the average of four independent readings, along with a statistical coefficient. Sanitized Ocu-Film tips covers are used to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. For more information click here.

Dilation

Drops may be used to temporarily enlarge the pupil. The doctor can see only 45% of the eye without dilation. By examining the entire inside of the eye, Dr. Panzer can see problems that you cannot feel or see until they impair your vision.

Macula Risk Test

Macula Risk® is a prognostic DNA test intended for patients who are over 65 and have a diagnosis of early or intermediate AMD. Using the complete combination of AMD genes, and smoking history, Macula Risk identifies those most likely to progress to advanced AMD with vision loss. Macula Risk is reimbursed by most providers including Medicare. The patient sample is a cheek swab taken in your office. Macula Risk allows you to stratify patients for appropriate monitoring as recommended by the AAO Preferred Practice Patterns – “in an effort to detect asymptomatic CNV at a treatable stage.”

Wheelchair Access

Our office and equipment are wheelchair accessible.

Slit Lamp Exam

The slit lamp exam uses an instrument that provides a magnified, three-dimensional (3-D) view of the different parts of the eye. During the exam, your doctor can look at the front parts of the eye, including the clear, outer covering (cornea), the lens, the colored part (iris), and the front section of the gel-like fluid (vitreous gel) that fills the large space in the middle of the eye.

Prepare for Your Exam