Eye Exams – Eyes of the Bay, Palo Alto CA

Eyes of the Bay in Palo Alto offers comprehensive eye exams that help preserve your vision.

Many systemic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, can cause vascular changes in the retina. These signs can often be identified during an eye exam before other symptoms become apparent. Our evaluation includes assessing your visual acuity, updating your prescription, and examining the complete structure of your eyes.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a baseline eye examination at age 40, when early signs of disease and vision changes often start. More frequent exams are necessary for those with higher risk factors, including a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Early detection through regular examinations is key to preserving your vision.

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What's Included in an Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye examination is a multi-step process designed to evaluate your vision and overall ocular health. A typical exam, lasting approximately 45-60 minutes, includes the following components:

1. Patient History

A thorough review of your personal and family medical history is conducted to identify risk factors for eye diseases (such as glaucoma or macular degeneration) and systemic conditions with ocular manifestations (like diabetes). This allows the examination to be tailored to your specific health profile.

2. Visual Acuity and Refraction

• Visual Acuity: Your sharpness of vision is measured at various distances using a standardized eye chart.
• Refraction: A phoropter is used to determine the precise lens prescription needed to correct refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

3. Ocular Health Evaluation

• Binocular Vision Testing: We evaluate ocular motility, alignment, and muscle function to ensure your eyes work together effectively. This screens for conditions such as strabismus (eye turn) and other binocular vision disorders.
• Pupillary Response & Visual Fields: Assessing how your pupils react to light and screening your peripheral vision helps detect potential neurological conditions or signs of glaucoma.
• Tonometry (Glaucoma Test): Your intraocular pressure (IOP) is measured, as elevated IOP is a significant risk factor for glaucoma.
• Slit-Lamp Examination: A high-magnification microscope is used to examine the anterior (front) structures of your eye, including the cornea, iris, and lens. This is essential for diagnosing cataracts, dry eye disease, and other corneal issues.
• Posterior Segment Examination (Retinal Evaluation): Dilating drops are administered to widen the pupils, allowing for a clear view of the retina and optic nerve. This detailed inspection is crucial for detecting diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears, and damage to the optic nerve.

4. Specialized Testing (As Indicated) Based on clinical findings, advanced diagnostic tests may be performed:

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Provides high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the retina, enabling early detection of glaucoma and macular disease before symptoms appear.
• Corneal Topography: Maps the curvature of the cornea to diagnose and manage conditions like keratoconus.
• Digital Retinal Imaging: Captures detailed photographs of your retina to establish a baseline and monitor for changes over time.

5. Pediatric Eye Care

Early screening is vital for healthy visual development. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that a child's first eye exam be conducted between 6 and 12 months of age, again at age three, and before starting school (typically between 5 and 6 years of age) to detect conditions such as amblyopia ("lazy eye") and strabismus. We offer no-cost screenings for infants aged 6-12 months through the InfantSEE® program.

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Technology and Diagnostics

We use the phoropter instrument at our office to determine the exact eyeglass or contact lens prescription. In addition to a comprehensive eye exam, Eyes of the Bay utilizes the latest technology to deliver enhanced care. Digital phoropters (shown), for example, allow for accurate prescription fine-tuning.

We also employ cutting-edge retinal imaging; for instance, ultra-wide-field Optomap cameras take over 80% of your retina in a single panoramic photo. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) produces high-resolution cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve, allowing us to detect small changes associated with glaucoma or macular degeneration.

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Meet Dr. Cindy Pouw

Dr. Cindy Pouw, OD, is a therapeutic optometrist who personally conducts your eye exam and owns Eyes of the Bay. She believes in evidence-based eye care and translating new research into practice. Dr. Pouw specializes in pediatric and specialty vision care, and she offers free infant screenings via the InfantSEE program. She educates optometry students and has served as a trustee for the Santa Clara County Optometry Society. This complement of knowledge and empathy puts patients of all ages at ease and fully informed during their visit.

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Insurance & Payment

Insurance

We are accepted by most major vision insurance providers and can file claims on your behalf. Eyes of the Bay is an in-network facility with EyeMed Vision Care for standard eye exams, and we also accept other vision plans. For medical eye diseases (infections, retinal diseases, glaucoma, etc.), we also accept medical insurance.

Payment Options

We accept credit/debit cards and FSA/HSA cards for eligible eye care expenses. Although we may not be in your network, we can provide you with receipts for filing, allowing you to get reimbursed.

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Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

To schedule a comprehensive eye exam or myopia consultation for yourself or your child, call us. You can also book an appointment through our online booking facility on our website.