Comprehensive Eye Exam in Psychiko, Athens

Written by Vasileios Skouteris MD, FEBO, Ophthalmic Surgeon

Page contents

1. Why do you need regular eye examinations?
2. What does a comprehensive eye exam include?
3. How long does the eye exam take and how should you prepare?
4. How often do you need an eye exam?
5. Eye exams for children
6. Your ophthalmologist in Psychiko and how the eye exam is organised
7. When to see an ophthalmologist without delay
8. What an eye examination can detect
9. Who needs more frequent eye exams
10. Eye exams after 40
11. Ophthalmologist or optician?
12. How to read your glasses prescription
13. Eye tests for a driving licence and for work
14. Eyes and screens: what we check in people who spend long hours at the computer
15. What to bring to your appointment
16. Eye exams in older age
17. Eyes and pregnancy
18. After the examination: what you will learn
19. Signs that you need an eye exam sooner
20. Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Exams

A comprehensive eye exam is a complete examination of the eyes that assesses your vision, refraction, intraocular pressure and the health of every structure of the eye, from the cornea to the retina and the optic nerve. It usually takes 45-60 minutes and can detect eye conditions before they cause any symptoms.

Why do you need regular eye examinations?

Several serious eye conditions progress silently. Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and the early stages of macular degeneration often cause no discomfort at all until part of the vision has already been affected. In many cases this damage cannot be reversed, which is why early diagnosis matters so much.

An eye examination is not only for people whose vision is blurred. It is particularly important if you have:

• diabetes or high blood pressure,
• a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration,
• high myopia,
• long-term treatment with medicines that can affect the eyes, such as corticosteroids,
• a previous eye injury or eye surgery.

What does a comprehensive eye exam include?

The order and scope of the tests are tailored to each person’s age, symptoms and history. A full examination usually includes the following steps.

Medical history

The visit begins with a discussion of your symptoms, the glasses or contact lenses you use, any general health conditions, your medication and your family history. It is helpful to bring your glasses and, if you have them, the results of previous examinations.

Visual acuity

We measure how clearly each eye sees on its own, at distance and near, using a chart of letters or symbols. This is the key measure of visual function and the reference point for every future comparison.

Refraction

Using an autorefractor and then trial lenses, we determine whether there is myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia, and what correction is needed. In children, refraction is often measured after drops that relax the eye’s focusing, so that the measurement is reliable.

Slit lamp examination

The slit lamp is a microscope with special illumination that allows a detailed examination of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, iris and lens. At this stage we can see, for example, blepharitis, dry eye and the first signs of cataract in the eyes.

Tonometry

Tonometry measures the intraocular pressure, that is, the pressure of the fluid inside the eye. Raised pressure is the most important risk factor for glaucoma of the eye, a condition that gradually damages the optic nerve. The measurement takes a few seconds and is done either with local anaesthetic drops or with a device that does not touch the eye.

Dilated fundus examination

Dilating drops widen the pupil so that the doctor can examine the back of the eye: the retina, the macula, the optic nerve and the blood vessels. Dilation is essential to check the periphery of the retina as well, where there may be tears or areas of thinning that cause no symptoms at all. The drops take about 20-30 minutes to work.

OCT and visual fields, when needed

If the clinical examination shows a finding, or if there is a risk factor, the check-up is completed with specialised tests. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high-resolution images of the macula and the optic nerve, while visual field testing maps your peripheral vision. All the imaging and functional tests available at the clinic are described on the page about diagnostic eye tests.

How long does the eye exam take and how should you prepare?

A comprehensive eye exam with dilation usually takes 45-60 minutes, including the wait for the drops to work. If additional tests are needed on the same day, the time increases accordingly.

A few practical tips help the visit run smoothly:

• Do not drive after dilation. The drops blur near vision and cause sensitivity to light for several hours, usually 4-6. Come with someone or use a taxi or public transport.
• Bring sunglasses for the journey home.
• If you wear contact lenses, ask when booking whether you need to stop wearing them a few days beforehand. This mainly applies when the examination is done ahead of refractive surgery.
• Bring a list of the medicines you take and the glasses you wear.
• Plan the appointment so that you do not need to read or work on a screen immediately afterwards.

How often do you need an eye exam?

The frequency depends on your age and on whether there are any risk factors. The table gives indicative intervals for people with no known eye condition. People with diabetes, glaucoma or another chronic condition are monitored more often, according to their ophthalmologist’s advice.

For people with diabetes, a dilated fundus examination is recommended at least once a year, even when vision is good.

Eye exams for children

Children rarely say that they cannot see well, because they have nothing to compare with. As a result, a refractive error, a squint or amblyopia (lazy eye) can go unnoticed until an age when treatment is less effective. Vision develops mainly in the first years of life, so early correction gives the best results.

The examination is adapted to the child’s age, using pictures instead of letters and an approach that feels like a game, so that the child cooperates. Most children need drops for an accurate measurement of refraction, which means blurred near vision for a few hours. You can find more about the examination and common childhood eye conditions on the page about paediatric ophthalmology.

Ask for an examination earlier than planned if you notice that your child:

• sits very close to the television or holds books very close,
• squints or tilts their head to see,
• has an eye that turns inwards or outwards,
• often rubs their eyes or complains of headaches after reading,
• shows a white reflection in the pupil in flash photographs.

Your ophthalmologist in Psychiko and how the eye exam is organised

At the clinic in Neo Psychiko, Athens, the examination is carried out by the ophthalmic surgeon himself, who completed his specialist training at Oxford University Hospital. The findings are explained in plain language and, where needed, a clear follow-up plan is set: when the next check-up will take place, which tests need to be repeated and which symptoms call for an earlier visit.

When to see an ophthalmologist without delay

Some symptoms cannot wait for your next scheduled check-up. See an ophthalmologist on the same day if you experience:

• sudden loss or reduction of vision, even if it has recovered,
• a sudden shower of floaters or flashes of light,
• a shadow or “curtain” over part of your field of vision,
• severe eye pain with redness, blurred vision or nausea,
• double vision that came on suddenly,
• an injury or chemical burn to the eye.

For a comprehensive eye exam at the clinic in Neo Psychiko, book an appointment.

What an eye examination can detect

Many serious eye conditions begin without pain and without any change in vision. By the time the patient notices the problem, the damage may already be permanent. A preventive eye exam detects early:

• Glaucoma: It silently damages the optic nerve, starting from the edges of the visual field.
• Diabetic retinopathy: It can progress a long way before it affects vision.
• Macular degeneration: In the early stages it can only be seen on examination of the fundus and on OCT.
• Cataract: It develops slowly and the patient gets used to the gradual clouding.
• Retinal tears: In short-sighted people, they can be treated preventively with laser before they cause retinal detachment.
• Keratoconus: In young people with increasing astigmatism, early diagnosis allows treatment that stops it from progressing.
• Signs of general health conditions: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease or neurological problems often leave traces in the eyes.

Who needs more frequent eye exams

The general schedule of check-ups is adjusted when there are risk factors. You need closer monitoring if:

• You have diabetes, even if it is well controlled
• You have high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
• You have myopia, especially above 5 to 6 dioptres
• There is glaucoma or macular degeneration in your family
• You take cortisone in any form for a long period, or hydroxychloroquine for a rheumatic condition
• You wear contact lenses
• You have had eye surgery or an eye injury in the past

Eye exams after 40

Around the age of 40, two things happen at the same time. Presbyopia, the difficulty with near vision, begins, and the risk of glaucoma and other age-related conditions gradually increases. Many people buy ready-made reading glasses from the pharmacy and never have an eye examination. Ready-made glasses are not dangerous, but they do not check the pressure in the eye or the back of the eye. A full check-up at 40, even without symptoms, gives a baseline picture that will be useful for comparison in the years that follow.

Ophthalmologist or optician?

A sight test at an optician helps you choose glasses, but it is not a medical examination. The ophthalmologist examines the whole eye: the cornea, the lens, the pressure, the optic nerve and the retina. An ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat eye conditions, prescribe medication and refer you for further tests. A simple rule: for glasses, an optician is often enough; for the health of your eyes, you need an ophthalmologist.

How to read your glasses prescription

After the examination you will receive a glasses prescription, if one is needed. The abbreviations are often confusing, but the logic is simple:

• OD and OS: Right and left eye respectively.
• SPH (sphere): The degree of myopia, with a minus sign, or hyperopia, with a plus sign.
• CYL (cylinder): The degree of astigmatism.
• AXIS: The orientation of the astigmatism, in degrees from 0 to 180.
• ADD: The additional correction for near vision, in presbyopia.
• PD: The distance between the pupils, needed to make the glasses correctly.

A glasses prescription does not automatically apply to contact lenses. Contact lenses require a separate measurement and fitting.

Eye tests for a driving licence and for work

To obtain or renew a driving licence, a certificate of visual acuity is required and, for some categories, of the visual field and colour vision as well. Similar tests are required for occupations such as professional drivers, pilots, seafarers and the security forces. This check is also a good opportunity for a complete examination of your eye health.

Eyes and screens: what we check in people who spend long hours at the computer

Long hours of screen use do not damage the eyes permanently, but they cause tiredness, dryness, blurred vision at the end of the day and headaches. During the examination we look for small uncorrected prescriptions, especially astigmatism and hyperopia, problems with how the two eyes work together at near, and dry eye. Often a pair of glasses made specifically for screen distance and the 20-20-20 rule, which means looking at something 6 metres away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, make a big difference.

What to bring to your appointment

• Your glasses, for distance and near, and your contact lenses or their packaging
• A list of all the medicines you take, including eye drops
• Previous eye test results, if you have them
• Sunglasses for after pupil dilation
• Notes on anything that bothers you and since when

Eye exams in older age

After 65, the eye exam becomes yearly, because cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration are more common at this age. Good vision in older people is not just about reading: it is linked to safety when moving around, fewer falls, independence in daily life and social life. During the examination we also check whether the glasses being used are correct, as older people often wear glasses that are many years old. Practical advice on better lighting at home, magnification on the mobile phone and the right varifocal or separate glasses for the stairs helps a great deal.

Eyes and pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause temporary blurring, a change in prescription or intolerance to contact lenses. These usually return to normal after the birth, which is why we do not change glasses in a hurry. Women with diabetes need a fundus examination at the start of pregnancy and monitoring afterwards. Women with high myopia or previous retinal surgery often ask whether they can have a vaginal delivery; examination of the fundus helps the obstetrician with this decision. Any sudden blurring, flashes of light or headache with visual disturbance during pregnancy needs immediate medical assessment.

After the examination: what you will learn

At the end of the eye exam we explain in plain language what we found, whether you need glasses or a change in prescription, whether anything needs treatment or monitoring, and when you should come back. If further tests are needed, such as OCT, visual fields or fundus photographs, they are usually done during the same visit or scheduled soon after. See all the diagnostic tests carried out at the clinic. Do not hesitate to ask about anything that concerns you; the aim is for you to leave with a full understanding of the condition of your eyes.

Signs that you need an eye exam sooner

Regardless of when you had your last check-up, book an appointment sooner if you notice:

• Blurring that does not clear when you blink or with your glasses
• Difficulty driving at night or strong glare from car headlights
• Wavy or distorted lines
• New floaters or flashes of light
• Frequent changes of reading glasses within a few months
• Red, irritated eyes that do not improve with artificial tears
• Headaches related to reading or screen use

On the other hand, sudden loss of vision, a shadow spreading like a curtain, severe eye pain or an injury cannot wait for a routine appointment. They need examination on the same day. If you are not sure whether something is urgent, call the clinic and describe your symptoms; we will advise you on how soon we need to see you. For emergencies outside opening hours, go to the nearest on-call hospital with an ophthalmology department.

To book a comprehensive eye exam, call +30 210 677 0007.

Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Exams

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Vasileios Skouteris MD, FEBO