Comprehensive
Eye Exams
Santa Clarita | Valencia
Medicare, Medi-Cal & Most Insurance Accepted
At Nova Eye Institute, we offer thorough eye exams and screening for various eye conditions, guided by the latest expert recommendations to protect your vision.
Why Comprehensive Eye Exams Matter
- Unlike vision screenings that check only for refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, a comprehensive eye exam evaluates the full health of your eyes.
- Many potentially blinding diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, often begin without noticeable symptoms. Early detection is the key to preserving sight.
American Academy of Ophthalmology Guidelines for Routine Eye Exams
The AAO recommends the following routine eye exam schedule for asymptomatic individuals:
- Ages 20–39: Every 5–10 years
- Ages 40–54: Every 2–4 years
- Ages 55–64: Every 1–3 years
- 65 and older: Every 1–2 years
Those with risk factors (e.g., diabetes, family history of eye disease, high refractive error, or African or Hispanic ancestry) should be evaluated more frequently.
Diabetic Eye Exam
- Type 1 diabetes: an initial eye exam is recommended within 5 years of diagnosis.
- Type 2 diabetes: eye screening should begin at the time of diagnosis. Annual follow-ups are generally advised, though this may vary based on disease severity.
Glaucoma Screening
- Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” because it often causes no symptoms until irreversible damage has occurred.
- Risk factors include age over 40, family history, high intraocular pressure, long-term steroid use, and certain ethnic backgrounds. Patients with risk factors are often screened more frequently.
Cataract Evaluation
- Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, often due to aging.
- If you’re experiencing blurry vision, glare, difficulty driving at night, or frequent prescription changes, we’ll perform a full cataract assessment.
- When cataracts start interfering with your quality of life, surgical options will be discussed, including advanced intraocular lens (IOL) options tailored to your lifestyle.
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Toxicity Monitoring
- Patients on hydroxychloroquine for autoimmune conditions are at risk for retinal toxicity.
- According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology guideline, a baseline exam should be performed within the first year of starting therapy, followed by annual screenings after 5 years of use (or earlier in high-risk cases).
- Early detection of toxicity is crucial to prevent irreversible vision damage.
Macular Degeneration
Screening
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
- During your comprehensive eye exam, we check for early signs of AMD.
- We also review lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, family history, and nutritional habits.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Today
Don't wait until vision problems arise—early detection is key to maintaining lifelong eye health.
📞 Call Now to book your comprehensive eye exam!
We proudly serve Santa Clarita, Valencia & the surrounding areas.