Eye Exams at Desert Iris Vision in Gilbert AZ

Healthy vision is often treated lightly. Most people wait until their vision changes before scheduling an eye exam. This is risky because several serious eye conditions develop silently. A comprehensive eye exam evaluates more than your visual acuity and clarity. It assesses your ocular health, inside and out. At Desert Iris Vision in Gilbert, AZ, Shadan Zangana helps you understand your eye health and takes the time to explain your diagnosis and treatments.

---

What is an Eye Exam?

An eye exam has two distinct goals: to understand how well you see and to evaluate how healthy your eyes are. The first part is often familiar for anyone who has prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Clinically, this is called visual acuity testing. It measures your visual clarity at varying distances and tests for refraction issues that may require correction with glasses or contacts.

An eye exam goes further than acuity testing. It examines the structural health of your eye using specialized equipment and techniques. The core trio includes:

• Tonometers – Measure the pressure inside your eye during a glaucoma screening.
• Slit Lamps – Used to evaluate the front structures of your eye, which include the cornea, lens, and iris.
• Fundus Exam – Used to view and determine the health of your retina and optic nerve.

Depending on your diagnosis and treatment, Shadan Zangana determines if other tests that check eye alignment, pupil reflex, and peripheral vision screening are necessary. Together, they form a comprehensive exam that provides a complete picture of your eye health.

---

Recommended Frequency of Getting an Eye Exam

Exam frequency typically depends on age, chronic body-wide health variables, and if you wear prescription glasses. As a general guideline, an eye exam frequency can be drawn as:

• A first exam to establish a baseline for infants and toddlers, usually at 6 to 12 months old. An additional test should occur between 3 and 5 years of age.
• Children of school age, generally between 6 and 17 years old, are recommended to get their eyes examined at least once a year or every two years.
• If you are between 18 to 39 years old, getting an eye exam every two years is a good practice. If this isn't feasible, you should at least get an evaluation every 5 or 10 years. The latter is particularly applicable if you are overall healthy and have good vision.
• When you turn 40, it is imperative that you get a comprehensive eye exam that establishes a baseline for your ocular health. The recommended frequency for individuals aged 40 to 64 is every 2 to 4 years on average.
• If you are aged 65 or above, you should get an eye exam every 1 to 2 years, as the risk of developing age-related eye issues is high.

This general frequency guideline differs for individuals who are considered high risk. This could be anyone who has chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or who has a family member who was diagnosed with an eye disease.

You are also high risk if you currently wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. High-risk patients generally have one comprehensive exam every year.

---

Signs That Warrant an Eye Exam

Most eye conditions develop gradually, but a few symptoms or signs clearly indicate you should schedule an eye exam. These are:

• Blurry vision at varying distances – Blurry vision when looking at either far-away things or close-up objects is a telling sign of refractive issues. It may also point out that your prescription has changed.
• Frequent headaches – If you get headaches, especially while reading, driving, or using screens.
• Eye fatigue or strain – After performing visually demanding tasks, your eyes may feel tired or heavy.
• Eye pain – This could be deep, continuous pain, especially felt behind the eye or in the surrounding socket.
• Difficulty seeing at night – This can be combined with sensitivity to glare from bright lights in a room or headlights while driving at night.
• A family history of eye disease – Conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration often run in families. It puts you at higher risk and calls for frequent eye exams.

---

What Happens During Your Eye Exam

A comprehensive eye exam is often the starting point that determines the path to more specific care and treatment. Your evaluation at Desert Iris Vision starts with a conversation about your vision, your systemic health, and any symptoms you may have noticed. Shadan Zangana checks your visual acuity to determine your vision and any prescription changes, in case you use contacts or glasses. We perform tests like tonometry and slit lamp evaluations and assess the health of your optic nerve. Based on your symptoms and any findings, further tests may be advised.

---

Payment and Insurance

Desert Iris Vision is glad to provide details about accepted insurance plans and payment options. Call us to discuss options.

---

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today!

Has it been a while since your last eye exam, or have you noticed any vision changes? Contact Desert Iris Vision and schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Call or visit our office today.

Contact Information
Desert Iris Vision
3546 S Power Rd #105
Phone: (480) 907-0123