Digital eye exams are often the most accurate way to measure optical properties. Today, a traditional eye exam can be just as accurate. LensCrafters offers Clarifye, a comprehensive digital eye exam that can detect even the slightest alterations that develop over time. This test measures the shape and curve of the cornea, which affects how light perceives and reflects light.
Some people have corneas with pronounced or elongated curves, which causes a condition known as astigmatism. Optometrists use keratometry tests to detect astigmatism. During this test, you stare intently at a special machine while the eye doctor adjusts it to align with the eye. The optometrist then reads the measurements from the machine, which indicate the shape of the cornea.
This type of eye exam is the most common and our optometrists recommend them once a year for adults and children, as it gives them the opportunity to thoroughly inspect anatomy and eye health before making a diagnosis. It may include tests such as a slit-lamp exam and a dilated pupil exam. This computerized test maps the curve of the cornea and may show problems on the surface of the eye, such as swelling or scarring, or conditions such as astigmatism or diseases such as keratoconus. This can be done before undergoing surgery, a corneal transplant, or a placement of contact lenses.
Virtual exams have been available in recent years, through third-party eye brands, such as Visibly and Warby Parker. While these “virtual exams” increase ease and accessibility, the most accurate and reliable way to have an eye exam is to do it in person. In fact, the FDA recently withdrew the marketing of telemedicine for eye exams due to potential health risks. A digital eye test encompasses the same components of a typical eye exam, which has introduced optometry as a relatively new technique.
It includes digital sensors that detect underlying eye diseases and produce an accurate reference for your optical prescription using cutting-edge technology. The Clarifye fingerprint improves the ability to evaluate the use of contact lenses, since contact lenses are located on the front of the eye. This meticulously precise mapping produces a “fingerprint” of the eye that includes the precise curvature and dimensions of the cornea. The consultation usually includes a corneal topography and a tear film evaluation, in addition to other tests needed for a complete eye exam.
Rather than having the eye doctor perform the entire eye exam manually, these devices speed up the process and take less time than a traditional test. It is important to communicate with an eye doctor regularly to have your vision corrected in order to get accurate results from your prescription. The technology for virtual eye exams is not yet available through third-party platforms, and only your optometrist can collect, manipulate and adjust the most accurate results of your prescription.
