Eye Exam Explained – Part Two
Slit Lamp – The slit lamp exam allows the eye to be analyzed from front to back. During this test in Clermont, Dr. Pennachio uses a special high-power microscope to examine the structures of your eye, testing for infections or ocular diseases. This test is beneficial for detecting conjunctivitis and other common eye issues as well as more serious ocular conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Cover Test – During this test, Dr. Pennachio will cover one eye at a time to assess any ocular deviation such as strabismus (also known as an eye turn or lazy eye). Essentially, this test measures how well your eyes work together and helps detect problems including poor depth perception.
Dilated Fundus Exam – This eye exam test requires an eye drop to be placed in the eyes to dilate the pupil. With the pupils dilated, it creates a larger window for Dr. Pennachio to look inside the eyes. The drops typically take 15-20 minutes to take effect. Once dilated, Dr. Pennachio will examine the eyes for various conditions. This is an important test for measuring the health of the internal structures of the eye.
Fundus Photography – Fundus photography is an advanced digital retinal photograph. By taking a digital image of the back portion of the eye (the retina), Dr. Pennachio can detect and monitor your ocular health. The screening picture that is produced captures a clear view of the optic nerve, blood vessels, macula and fovea. Fundus photos can be a baseline measurement for future comparison. A look at the internal view of the eye can be key in detecting glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, retinal detachments and many more eye issues detectable at very early stages.
If you are experiencing specific vision problems, additional tests and further examination may be required. Even if you are not experiencing vision problems, it is still a good idea to have your eyes examined regularly, ideally every year. To schedule an eye exam with Dr. Pennachio in Clermont, contact Pennachio Eye at 352-227-1999 or pennachioold.wpengine.com today.