It can be hectic when the kids go back to school. There can be a lot of things to do. You may choose to take care of some and ignore or miss others. One of the things parents miss is taking their children for a comprehensive eye exam. You may skip this with the thought they will receive a vision screening when they return to school.

What Is a Vision Screening?

Vision screening is a crucial tool in helping detect visual issues like nearsightedness and severe amblyopia. It helps diagnose eye conditions that can lead to visual impairment or vision loss.

You will receive a referral to a professional if these conditions are detected. With the professional, you can get further evaluation and treatment. Vision screenings are not as thorough as comprehensive eye exams.

What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

These are thorough and careful evaluations of the various aspects of your ocular health. They assess your eye structure and the respective functions, ensuring everything is in optimal health. They allow for early treatment in case anything is out of order. The exam can also detect health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Differences Between Vision Screenings and Comprehensive Eye Examinations

You can tell from the explanations above that there are several differences between vision screenings and comprehensive eye examinations. These include:

Exam Duration

Comprehensive eye examinations are more thorough than vision screenings. As such, they take more time than vision screenings, which are simple and quick. They are also general, getting a brief evaluation of your eyes. The general practitioner will refer you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist if there are any signs of irregularities or changes.

Comprehensive eye exams check every aspect of your eye structure and its functions. It detects any health conditions that may present in the eye. They ensure you get a wholesome body exam by only looking at the eyes. Comprehensive eye exams can take an hour to ninety minutes, depending on the person conducting the exam.

Detection of Health Conditions

Some health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer can present as eye symptoms. They can also cause complications like glaucoma and macular degeneration, leading to vision loss. Hence, comprehensive eye exams are vital since you will get firsthand information on complications. They also allow you to start early treatment, preventing vision loss.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The practitioner who carries out the vision screening does not diagnose or treat the issue. They will refer you to an ophthalmologist or optometrist when they detect any issues. These are the professionals who diagnose and treat whatever eye problems you have.

Unlike vision screening practitioners, ophthalmologists carry out comprehensive eye exams and give you the diagnosis there and then. You do not waste any time.

Accuracy

Vision screening will not detect subtle visual issues, but comprehensive eye exams can. Thus, it is vital to have a comprehensive eye exam. It gives you more details about your visual health. It can help you get an early start treating these problems.

For more information on vision screening and comprehensive eye exams, visit Gulf Coast Vision. Call (228) 262-0266 to schedule an appointment today.