Eye Exams

Eye care specialists at MU Health Care provide advanced exams that go beyond checking your vision. We use innovative technology to diagnose eye conditions, protect your sight and support your overall health.

Many vision problems develop without warning. Routine eye exams can help detect issues early — often before symptoms appear or damage occurs.

At MU Health Care’s Mason Eye Clinic, you’ll find advanced diagnostic tools and complete care in one convenient location.

With imaging and diagnostic testing not widely available elsewhere in central Missouri, we can detect problems sooner and plan more precise care. Whether you need a new prescription or an evaluation for a complex condition, our eye care team is here to help you see more clearly.

Eye Exams at MU Health Care

An eye exam is more than a vision check. It’s how we catch changes and protect your sight for the future.

Your visit begins with basic checks performed by a technician:

Checking eye pressure and muscle movement.
Examining the front of your eye, including your eyelids, cornea and lashes.
Measuring your vision with or without glasses.
Testing how your pupils respond to light.
Dilating your eyes to examine the back of the eye and check for glaucoma, macular degeneration or other retinal conditions.

Depending on your results, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may update your prescription and discuss any next steps, including preventive care or a referral to a subspecialist if needed.

How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?

How often you should have your eyes checked depends on your age, overall health and whether eye disease runs in your family.

Here are the general guidelines for when to have eye exams:

Every two years if you are younger, have no vision concerns and no family history.
Every year if you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration or other eye problems.
Every year after age 50, usually with a full dilated exam.

Our pediatric eye care specialists also provide eye exams for children and teens, offering full vision care for your entire family.

Our Approach to Eye Exams

Eye exams give us a clear view of your eye health and can even reveal early signs of conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

The advanced imaging at MU Health Care’s Mason Eye Clinic can help catch problems before symptoms appear. Our team also works closely with other MU Health Care specialists to keep your care connected, including experts in endocrinology, neurology, rheumatology, cardiology and oncology.

With everything in one location, you’ll have fewer appointments, faster answers and care backed by the latest research and technology.

Your First Visit

At your first eye exam, we take the time to get to know you and your vision needs. Most eye exams take less than an hour, and your visit may include:

A conversation about your vision and overall health
Basic testing for overall vision, color vision, depth perception and external eye photography
Measurements for glasses, contacts or possible lens implants
Screening for common eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration

Diagnostic and Imaging Tests

If your optometrist or ophthalmologist needs a closer look, we may recommend specialized eye tests. These provide us with more detail about your eyes, helping us personalize your care plan.

These tests may include:

Anterior segment photography: Captures detailed images of the cornea, iris and lens to evaluate conditions affecting the front of the eye.
Biomicroscopic photography: Creates 3D images of the cornea, iris, lens and vitreous gel to check for diseases, infection or foreign objects.
Corneal topography (videokeratography): Maps the curve of your cornea to spot swelling, scarring or astigmatism. Often used for contact lens fittings or surgery planning, if needed.
Electroretinogram (ERG): Measures how your rods and cones respond to light to evaluate retinal health.
Fundus photography (IVFA, ICG angiography): Takes images of the retina and optic nerve to study blood flow and detect conditions like diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.
Heidelberg retinal imaging: Provides high-resolution images of the retina for early detection and monitoring of eye disease
Intraocular pressure (IOP) / tonometry: Measures pressure inside your eye to screen for glaucoma.
Keratometry: Measures the curvature of your cornea to fit contact lenses properly.
Ocular axial length (OAL): Calculates the size and shape of your eye, which is important before cataract or refractive surgery.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Creates 3D images of your retina to diagnose conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.
Refraction: Determines your prescription for glasses or contacts and identifies vision conditions like nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Ultrasound (A-scan, B-scan): Uses sound waves to evaluate tumors, cataracts, bleeding or retinal detachment.
Visual evoked potential (VEP): Measures how your eyes send signals to the brain to help detect neurological conditions.
Visual field test: Checks your side vision for damage from glaucoma, stroke or other concerns.