What can I expect from a Comprehensive Eye Exam at Dr. Sarlitt's Irvine Office?

Dr. Sarlitt uses a variety of tests and procedures to examine your eyes. These tests range from the familiar reading of the Snellen eye chart to using sophisticated equipment such as the retinal camera.

Some of the typical tests your eye doctor may perform include the following:

Refraction

This is the test that is used to determine your prescription. Using a state of the art computerized instrument called a Nikon Remote Vision Phoropter and Auto-Refractor, Dr. Sarlitt shows you a series of lens choices. He will then ask you which of the two lenses in each choice makes the letters look clearer. In place of the traditional Snellen eye chart, Dr. Sarlitt utilizes a new computerized eye chart that can also test for contrast sensitivity and has video component for pediatric testing. In addition to these tests, Dr. Sarlitt also tests the coordination of eye muscles, which is especially important in children's vision. Based on your answers and other tests, he will continue to fine-tune your power until reaching a final prescription, which will be used to determine your eyeglass and/or contact lens prescription.

Slit-Lamp Examination 
The slit lamp, also called a biomicroscope, allows the doctor to get a highly magnified image of the structures of the eye in order to thoroughly evaluate them for signs of infection or disease. 

Glaucoma Test - Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve (a nerve that leads from the brain to the eye) that can result in the loss of peripheral vision. There are several ways to test an individual for glaucoma:

Pressure testing - This test measures the intraocular pressure inside of your eye, also known as IOP. We have several methods to arrive at the IOP. One is called the "puff or air" test, technically known as the non-contact tonometer. A small puff of air is gently blown on the eye, which calculates the intraocular pressure. Other instruments called the Tonopen and the Goldman Applanation Tonometer may also be used. For these tests, the doctor puts numbing drops in your eyes; then, utilizing a tiny probe, lightly touches the front of each eye and manually measures the intraocular pressure.

Visual Field Test

This test is used to determine your peripheral or "side vision" . Using a state of the art machine called the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. During this test, you will be asked to look at a fixed point while lights flash in various regions of you peripheral vision. You will be asked to click a button when seeing the flashing lights to determine if your "side vision" is intact. In diseases such as glaucoma or certain types of tumors, the peripheral vision can be affected.

Dilation - Dilating drops are placed in the eye to make the pupils large enough to get a better view of the internal structures of the eye. Dilating drops usually take about 20 to 30 minutes to start working. While the drops are taking effect, you will be sensitive to light and may notice difficulty focusing on objects up close. Once the drops have taken effect, Dr. Sarlitt will use an instrument  called a Binocular Indirect Opthalmoscope (BIO) to look inside your eye. 

Retinal Photography

A sophisticated Nikon Digital Retinal Camera shows detailed images of the various structures of the retina including the optic nerve, blood vessels, nerve fiber layer and the macula. Various diseases such as Macular Degeneration, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure, can sometimes be detected in the early stages by observing the Retina.

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