Eye Exams in Chicago, IL

Regular eye exams are an important part of staying healthy and maintaining clear vision. Wickerpark Eye Center in Chicago, IL, can update your prescription, check for signs of eye disease, and evaluate any possible vision problems that may be present. Dr. Daniel Tepper and his team can perform a number of different tests and screen for issues like refractive errors, glaucoma, cataracts, eye injuries, and other related conditions. Patients in the greater Chicago area are encouraged to schedule annual eye exams to ensure optimal vision and eye health.

Eye exams at Wickerpark Eye Center are your first line of defense to protect the health of your eyes and eyesight, with benefits that include:

• Provides early detection and diagnosis of eye conditions and diseases
• Supports better treatment outcomes
• Helps maintain optimal vision and eye health
• Ensures you achieve crisper, clearer vision
• Eye exams are quick, easy, and comfortable

Everyone should have regular eye examinations, regardless of their age or health. The best way to know how often you should receive an exam is to visit Wickerpark Eye Center. However, the general recommendations according to age are as follows:

• Patients under age 40 should have an eye exam every 2 – 5 years
• Patients over age 40 should have an exam every 2 – 4 years
• Seniors should undergo an exam every 1 – 2 years

If you have been diagnosed with an eye condition like glaucoma, Dr. Tepper can create a personalized plan for how often you should have an eye exam.

Having the right prescription is an excellent way to avoid eye strain and function more effectively in your everyday life. Dr. Tepper, or one of his associates, can update your prescription and check for signs of refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. You will be asked to read from a series of charts that show characters of varying sizes. Based on our findings, we can update your prescription for contact lenses or glasses. We offer a wide range of affordable eyewear options.

Many eye diseases are progressive, with symptoms that develop slowly. Early signs of glaucoma, for example, may only mildly affect your peripheral vision. As intraocular pressure builds, glaucoma can cause irreversible damage to your optic nerve, even blindness. Wickerpark Eye Center can diagnose glaucoma and other eye issues early on to protect your vision. An eye exam at our clinic also includes a color blindness test, a cover test to determine how well your eyes work together, a test of your eyes' range of motion (ocular motility), stereopsis to measure your depth perception, and a slit lamp test.

Eye examinations involve much more than just testing visual acuity. During your comprehensive evaluation at our Chicago eye center, we can look for signs of potentially serious diseases and conditions. Aspects of your vision that we will evaluate include:

Loss of Peripheral Acuity

Peripheral vision refers to the outer extremities of your field of vision. We often do not pay attention to these areas because they are not our point of focus when reading, driving, or performing other important tasks. Diminished vision in this area is common for individuals who are over 70. However, it can also be a sign of open-angle glaucoma.

Decreased Color Perception

Loss of color perception is a natural part of the aging process. This progressive problem can result in colors being less vibrant or less distinguishable. While there is no treatment for this issue, it can be useful for people in certain career fields to be aware of the state of their color perception.

Vitreous Detachment

Occasional "floaters" or spots in your field of vision are normal, but an increase may be due to a condition called vitreous detachment. The liquefying of the vitreous tissue (a gel-like substance that helps the eye keep its shape) is a natural part of the aging process, but seek help if you experience a sudden and heavy onset of flashes or floaters. One in ten cases of vitreous detachment involves a retinal tear, making early treatment extremely important.

Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is characterized by having persistently dry, red, or irritated eyes. There are a number of reasons that your eyes can become dry, including an imbalance in the makeup of your tears. We can determine if you need prescription medicated drops, punctal plugs, warm compresses, new contact lenses, or other effective and comfortable treatments for this condition. Some patients may benefit from using eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.

After your eye exam is through, a member of our team will take you through setting up your next evaluation. Your age, assessment results, risk factors, and more will help determine the most effective times to receive eye exams. Even individuals who get healthy results should continue to receive eye exams once every 2 – 4 years so that if any concerns occur, they will be detected and treated promptly. You might need to schedule another appointment for more testing or treatment if Dr. Tepper finds any signs of a possible problem. Remember that if we need to dilate your pupils, you might want to bring or call someone who can drive you home afterward.

At Wicker Park Eye Center in Chicago, IL, we have a deep respect for our patients' schedules and their time. We will always do our best to ensure that your eye exam is thorough and comprehensive. You will be given ample time to discuss topics with our friendly and knowledgeable eye care team members. We believe in empowering patients through education. As part of that belief, we welcome any questions you may have about eye care, eye disease, eyewear, and lens options.

Can an eye exam detect other health problems or diseases?
Eye exams can be used as a way to screen for certain health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The primary purpose of an eye exam, however, is to check the structure and function of your eyes. Also, if you consult Wickerpark Eye Center about general eye discomfort or vision problems, we can help identify the cause of the problem.

Does a comprehensive eye exam include dilation?
Dilation involves placing drops in your eyes that cause your pupils to widen so that we can get a better view of the back of your eye. We can check for diseases such as glaucoma that can result in vision loss if left untreated. Most comprehensive eye exams include dilation, but it depends on each individual patient and their symptoms.

Are eye exams covered by my insurance?
The cost of an eye exam can vary, depending on the provider. Insurance may cover a portion of the cost or the entire exam, but it's important to check with your insurance company to be sure. If you're looking for a comprehensive eye exam in Chicago, Wickerpark Eye Center is here to help. Our experienced team can help you get the most out of your insurance.