Eye Health
A vision screening tells you whether your vision passes a basic threshold. A comprehensive eye exam tells you whether your eyes are healthy. These are not the same — and confusing them costs people their sight.
Screenings — at schools, DMV offices, or health fairs — typically involve reading a distance chart. If you read the 20/40 line, you pass. This detects significant distance vision impairment at a population level. It tells you nothing about near vision, eye health, binocular coordination, peripheral vision, intraocular pressure, optic nerve appearance, or retinal integrity.
A full clinical evaluation assesses: visual acuity at distance and near, your precise prescription, eye health (cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve), intraocular pressure, binocular vision, pupil response, color vision, and dilated examination of the posterior segment. It's the difference between a single data point and a complete clinical picture.
Many adults who "passed" their last vision screening have never had a dilated eye exam. They have no idea whether their optic nerve shows early glaucoma, whether macular changes are developing, or whether their retinal vessels bear signs of uncontrolled blood pressure or blood sugar. The screening gave them false reassurance it was never designed to provide.
Annual comprehensive exams at Harnos Optometry in New Paltz include dilation, OCT imaging, and thorough evaluation of both vision and eye health. Book your exam online.
Harnos Optometry provides expert eye care for the whole family. New patients welcome — book online 24/7.
222 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561 · (845) 255-4696
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