General Eye Exam

A general eye exam is an easy and effective way to protect your eye health and overall vision. If it’s been more than a year since your last checkup, don’t wait to take action. At Fremont Eye Center, board-certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Ho Sun Choi, MD, offers general eye exams to teens and adults. To make an appointment for yourself or your child, call the Fremont, California, office today or click the online booking feature.

What is a general eye exam?

A general eye exam is a routine checkup that assesses your eye health and tests your vision. It’s the equivalent of an annual physical. 

You don’t need to be experiencing any symptoms or having vision problems to benefit. Instead, it’s designed to catch issues early, before they worsen. 

How often should someone have a general eye exam?

It’s a good rule of thumb to schedule a general eye exam at least once a year. However, if you’re living with chronic conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, more frequent exams may be necessary.

Dr. Choi can develop a personalized cadence that aligns with your needs, goals, and health history. 

What happens during a general eye exam?

Dr. Choi tailors general eye exams to each patient’s needs. Most exams include the following:

Visual acuity test

This test involves looking at a chart with letters and numbers from across the room. The letters and numbers get progressively smaller as you look down the chart, allowing Dr. Choi to measure your distance vision.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

This imaging test lets Dr. Choi take high-quality photos of your retina, a light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. It’s quick and painless, but makes it easy to detect subtle changes caused by certain eye diseases. 

Dilated eye exam

During a dilated eye exam, Dr. Choi administers special eye drops that widen your pupils. This lets him see the structures at the back of your eye, such as the macula and retina.

Slit-lamp exam

This test uses a special light and microscope to view structures inside and outside your eyes. Like OCT, it’s quick, painless, and can help Dr. Choi evaluate various conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and dry eye.

What happens if a general eye exam detects a problem?

If Dr. Choi identifies a potential concern during your eye exam, such as an eye disease or a refractive error, he makes personalized treatment recommendations.

For example, if you have farsightedness or nearsightedness, he may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. Conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy may require prescription medication, laser treatment, or surgery.

Regardless, the goal is always the same: to keep your vision sharp and your eyes healthy.

If it’s been a while since your last general eye exam, make an appointment at Fremont Eye Center today by calling the office or by clicking the online booking feature.