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Dr. Panzer recommends a yearly eye exam for everyone!

Tests
Equipment
Understanding Your Prescription

During your eye examination by Dr. Panzer, tests are conducted using special equipment
to assess general eye health and detect abnormal vision conditions or eye diseases.

And if you're not sure what those numbers mean on your prescription, here's information that can help you understand your prescription for vision correction.

Tests

The American Optometric Association recommends an eye examination every one to two years.

Here are the tests you can expect during your regular eye exam:

Visual Acuity Test
This test checks vision sharpness. During the exam, you will be
asked to read letters on an eye chart with each eye. The smaller
the letters that can be distinguished, the better your visual acuity.
Both distance and near vision are checked.

Refraction
The degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism is
determined during this test. A series of lenses are used and
adjusted before your eyes to determine the best correction.

Ophthalmoscopy
Dr. Panzer examines the inside of your eyes with an instrument
that illuminates and magnifies the interior of the eye. Conditions
such as cataracts, diabetes or hypertension can be detected.

Tonometry
This test measures the internal pressure of the eye. High pressures
of the eye may indicate the presence of glaucoma and may require further
testing.  Dr. Panzer is the only optometrist in Houston that uses the
Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph for comprehensive glaucoma care.

Dilation
The use of drops may be used to temporarily enlarge the pupil.
The doctor can only see 45% of the eye without dilation. By
examining the entire inside of the eye, Dr. Panzer can see problems
that you cannot feel or see until they impair your vision.

Retinal Tomography
Dr. Panzer owns the only HRT laser in Houston.  With it, he is able to create
3D images of the retina to track changes in the optic nerve head.  This helps him
with the management of glaucoma.

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Equipment

                                                                                                                                              

   Dr. Panzer uses state-of-the-art equipment
   during your eye exam. This equipment includes:

Autorefractor
Determines near and farsightedness and astigmatism.

Automated Visual Fields
Determine peripheral and central vision disorders.

Ophthalmoscope
Examines the internal portion of the eye for a wide
range of problems.

Biomicroscope/Slit Lamp
Examines the external eye for abnormalities

Tonometer
Tests eyes for increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma)

Lensometer
Measures the power of your current prescription lens

Automated Keratometer
Measures the shape of your eye for proper fit of contact lenses.

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Understanding Your Prescripton

* ( + ) = hyperopia (farsightedness); can see see well at far, have trouble seeing close

**( - ) = myopia (nearsightedness); can see well at near, have trouble seeing far distances

The greater the number after the + or - sign, the greater the vision correction needed.

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