A comprehensive eye exam evaluates your vision, prescription, and eye health. At InSight EyeCare in Cibolo, Dr. Sturm combines clinical examination with diagnostic imaging to identify vision problems, assess for eye disease, and recommend appropriate treatment or monitoring.
Regular examinations are important even when your vision seems unchanged. Some eye conditions develop without noticeable symptoms, and a stable glasses prescription does not necessarily indicate healthy eyes.
Book an exam, or call (210) 659-3937 for more information.
What a comprehensive eye exam evaluates
Your examination begins with a review of your symptoms, medical history, medications, and family history of eye disease. Conditions such as diabetes, previous eye injuries, and certain medications can influence your eye health and the testing you need.
Dr. Sturm also considers your daily visual demands, including computer use, reading, and driving. These details help determine whether your current correction provides appropriate clarity and comfort.
Visual clarity and prescription
Visual acuity testing measures how clearly you see at different distances. Refraction determines the lens prescription needed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Prescription measurements are considered alongside your symptoms and examination findings. When glasses do not fully correct your vision, further evaluation can help identify contributing factors, such as dry eye, cataracts, or an irregular corneal surface.
Focusing and eye coordination
Clear vision depends on how well your eyes focus and work together. We assess eye movements, alignment, pupil responses, and focusing function as appropriate.
Difficulty with accommodation, the ability to focus at near, or binocular vision, the coordinated use of both eyes, can contribute to eyestrain, intermittent blur, or discomfort during reading and computer work.
Eye health
The health assessment examines the front and back of the eyes, including the cornea, lens, retina, and optic nerve. Eye pressure measurements and visual field screening provide additional information.
No single measurement establishes the health of your eyes. For example, eye pressure must be interpreted alongside the appearance of the optic nerve and other findings when evaluating glaucoma risk.
Diagnostic imaging and eye health testing
Our office uses Optomap retinal imaging, optical coherence tomography, and the Pentacam AXL Wave to evaluate different structures of the eye. These technologies provide complementary information that Dr. Sturm interprets together with your examination and medical history. Testing is selected according to your clinical needs.
Optomap retinal imaging
Optomap captures an ultra-widefield image of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It allows Dr. Sturm to evaluate a broad area for signs of retinal disease and creates a photographic record for comparison at future visits.
Optomap obtains images through a non-dilated pupil, allowing us to complete many routine retinal evaluations without dilating drops. Dilation may still be necessary when symptoms, risk factors, image quality, or examination findings require a more detailed assessment. Dr. Sturm determines whether it is needed for your examination.
Optical coherence tomography
Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, uses light to create cross-sectional images of retinal tissue. Whereas retinal photography shows a broad view, OCT provides information about individual tissue layers.
These scans can help identify retinal swelling and structural changes associated with macular disease or glaucoma. They also provide measurements that can be compared over time when monitoring a condition. Findings on a screening scan may require additional diagnostic testing.
Pentacam AXL Wave
The Pentacam AXL Wave measures the shape and thickness of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, and provides additional measurements of the eye’s optical system.
These measurements help assess corneal irregularities that may affect vision, including changes associated with keratoconus. They can also support contact lens planning and the investigation of visual problems that are not fully explained by a glasses prescription.
Conditions assessed during your examination
A comprehensive eye exam evaluates refractive errors and looks for signs of eye disease or abnormal visual function. Conditions assessed include:
- Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
- Cataracts, which cause clouding of the eye’s natural lens.
- Glaucoma, a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve.
- Macular degeneration, which affects the part of the retina responsible for detailed central vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy, which involves damage to retinal blood vessels associated with diabetes.
- Dry eye and other ocular surface conditions.
- Eye infections.
- Eye coordination and focusing disorders.
- Color vision deficiencies.
The examination may identify a condition directly or reveal findings that require further testing. Early detection can allow treatment or monitoring to begin before substantial symptoms develop, although the course and treatment of each condition differ.
Care following your examination
Dr. Sturm reviews the findings with you and explains any recommended next steps. These may include an updated prescription, treatment for an eye condition, changes to daily habits, additional testing, or periodic monitoring.
Some conditions can be managed through ongoing care in our office. When surgery or another specialist’s assessment is appropriate, Dr. Sturm recommends a referral and coordinates care as needed.
For patients with an irregular cornea or difficulty wearing standard contact lenses, specialty lenses may be an option.
Contact lens evaluations
A contact lens evaluation involves measurements and assessments beyond those used to determine a glasses prescription. We evaluate corneal curvature, the tear film, and how a lens fits and performs on the eye.
Soft contact lens selection considers your prescription, eye health, comfort, and daily activities. If you experience dryness, fluctuating vision, or discomfort with your current lenses, the evaluation helps determine whether a different lens or treatment of an underlying condition may improve wear.
Let our office know when booking if you wear contacts or would like to try them.
How often to schedule an eye exam
Dr. Sturm recommends an annual comprehensive eye exam for most patients. More frequent visits may be necessary when monitoring eye disease, assessing treatment response, or following a finding that could change over time.
New symptoms should be evaluated when they occur rather than deferred until your next annual appointment.
Preparing for your visit
Bring your current glasses, contact lens prescription or packaging, and an updated medication list. Tell us about changes in your vision, eye comfort, general health, or family history.
If dilation is needed, temporary light sensitivity and blurred near vision can occur. Sunglasses may improve comfort afterward, and you should arrange transportation if your vision is not adequate for safe driving.
Frequently asked questions
Is a vision screening the same as a comprehensive eye exam?
No. A screening checks selected aspects of vision and may identify a need for further evaluation. A comprehensive eye exam assesses your prescription, visual function, and eye health in greater detail.
Do I need an exam if I see clearly?
Yes. Glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and other conditions may develop before you notice symptoms. Regular examinations assess eye health as well as visual clarity.
Can an eye exam help determine the cause of eyestrain?
An examination can identify contributing factors such as an uncorrected prescription, focusing or eye coordination difficulties, and dry eye. Your description of when symptoms occur helps guide the evaluation.
Why might I need both retinal photography and OCT?
The tests provide different information. Retinal photography records a broad view of the retina, while OCT shows cross-sectional detail within the tissue. Dr. Sturm may use both when that combination helps evaluate or monitor a concern.
Schedule your eye exam in Cibolo
InSight EyeCare provides eye care for patients in Cibolo and nearby Schertz, Converse, Universal City, Selma, and Garden Ridge. We welcome military families from Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, as well as patients from Marion, Santa Clara, New Braunfels, Live Oak, Windcrest, Kirby, St. Hedwig, Seguin, and northeast San Antonio.
Book your comprehensive eye exam, or call (210) 659-3937 for more information.