Swimming with contact lenses is generally not recommended because pools, lakes, oceans, hot tubs, showers, and tap water can expose lenses to microorganisms that increase the risk of corneal infection.
DeCarlo Optometry in Placentia encourages patients to plan for clear vision before water activities rather than depend on a contact lens staying dry. That keeps the safety decision practical for people who do not see well without their lenses.
The examination looks closely at your vision, how your eyes work together, and the health of your eyes. American Optometric Association eye exam guidance also explains how comprehensive eye care goes beyond checking visual clarity alone. We select tests according to your age, symptoms, medical background, family history, and what we observe rather than use the same checklist for everyone.
Many people expect an eye appointment to focus only on glasses or contact lenses. In many real cases, we also look for changes that can develop before you notice a difference in your sight.
Your examination may include:
What we often see is that patients ask better questions once they understand why a test is being recommended and what it can tell us. Dr. DeCarlo tailors testing to each patient’s concerns, visual demands, and relevant health history rather than treating every visit as identical.
A vision screening checks selected visual functions and can flag concerns that need further testing. A comprehensive eye exam goes further by evaluating visual function and, when appropriate, the health and structures of the eyes.
| Feature | Comprehensive Eye Exam | Vision Screening |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Evaluates vision and eye health | Flags possible vision concerns |
| Scope | Tailored to symptoms and findings | Checks selected visual functions |
| Who performs it | Optometrist or ophthalmologist | School staff, nurses, technicians, or trained personnel |
| Health evaluation | May assess internal and external eye structures | Usually limited or unavailable |
| Follow-up | Recommendations reflect examination findings | Referral when more testing is needed |
Screenings remain useful because they can flag a possible problem before someone realizes their vision needs attention. Vision screenings in preventive care can help families understand when screening is useful and when a fuller examination makes sense.
A screening should not replace a routine eye checkup or complete eye exam when symptoms, family history, or medical conditions call for a closer assessment.
For children, back-to-school vision needs can extend beyond seeing the board clearly. Reading, classroom work, sports, and daily comfort may all be affected by visual concerns that deserve a closer look. Parents can also review our guide to pediatric eye health before spring break for additional seasonal eye-care considerations.
Most appointments follow a clear sequence, but the exact testing varies. What you tell us and what we observe during the examination help determine what comes next.
Dr. DeCarlo has provided eye care since 1989, with experience across routine, medical, and specialty vision needs. Dr. Michael DeCarlo’s background gives patients more context about the experience behind our one-on-one approach to eye care.
We begin by asking about vision changes, medications, health conditions, family eye history, work, hobbies, and symptoms affecting daily life.
Trouble focusing during computer work, for example, may call for different testing than concerns related to diabetes or a family history of glaucoma. Your answers help us decide which areas deserve closer attention.
We measure how clearly you see at different distances and assess how comfortably your eyes handle common visual tasks.
The results can reveal changes affecting reading, driving, screen use, or schoolwork and help us decide whether closer testing is useful.
If you notice blur, headaches, or trouble focusing, we may perform refraction to determine whether your glasses or contact lens prescription should change.
The goal is not simply sharper letters on a chart. We consider how a prescription supports comfortable vision for work, reading, driving, and everyday tasks.
When needed, we measure eye pressure and examine the cornea, iris, lens, and other structures in the front of the eye.
These checks can reveal changes even when your sight seems normal. That is one reason a full examination can uncover concerns a basic screening may miss.
We examine the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye, and the optic nerve, which carries visual signals to the brain.
DeCarlo Optometry Placentia also uses Topcon Maestro retinal scanning technology when imaging can add useful clinical detail. Diabetes can affect retinal health, making appropriate eye monitoring especially important for people with diabetes. Our guide to how diabetes affects your eyes explains the connection in more detail.
A dilated eye exam may be recommended when your risks or what we see during the visit call for a wider view inside the eye.
Eye dilation and retinal checks can help an eye doctor examine structures that are harder to see through an undilated pupil.
Before the visit ends, we review what we found, answer your questions, and discuss what it means for your vision and next steps.
Depending on your needs, that may mean a prescription update, monitoring, treatment, additional testing, or a referral. Our available eye care services address routine and specialized needs when further care is appropriate.
No. Dilation is not automatically part of every eye examination. The decision depends on factors such as your age, symptoms, health history, risks, and what your optometrist sees during the visit.
A dilated eye examination widens the pupil so we can see more of the retina and other structures inside the eye. The National Eye Institute’s guide to dilated eye exams explains what happens during dilation and why an eye doctor may recommend it. Retinal imaging can add useful information, but it does not always replace dilation when a wider internal view is needed.
Eye-exam frequency varies by individual. Age, medical conditions, contact lens use, family history, previous findings, and new symptoms can all affect how closely your eyes should be monitored.
People who may especially benefit include:
Eye-care needs also change with age. Protecting vision throughout life covers concerns that can become more relevant during different stages of childhood and adulthood.
Glaucoma deserves particular attention because noticeable symptoms may not appear early. Our guide to early signs of glaucoma explains what changes patients should know about and why appropriate eye examinations can matter even when vision seems unchanged.
For us, the real value of the visit comes from turning what we find into clear decisions. DeCarlo Optometry Placentia helps patients connect those findings with practical choices about glasses, contact lenses, monitoring, and everyday visual comfort.
A few details can make your visit more useful. Current eyewear shows us what you already use, while medication and family-history information can identify factors that may affect your eyes.
It also helps to write down recent changes. Note when a symptom began, whether it affects one or both eyes, and when you tend to notice it.
Bring:
If you wear contact lenses, bring them along with your glasses so we can see how each option is working for you.
Completing new patient forms before your visit can reduce check-in time and leave more of the appointment for your concerns and questions.
Find quick answers to common questions about comprehensive eye exams, testing, dilation, appointment length, and exam frequency.
The visit may include your health and vision history, vision testing, prescription assessment, eye coordination testing, pressure measurement, and examination of eye structures. The exact combination depends on your vision, health history, symptoms, and what your optometrist observes.
Yes. A screening checks selected visual functions, while a full examination can assess both vision and the health of the eyes.
No. Dilation depends on your age, symptoms, health risks, examination results, and your optometrist’s professional judgment.
Appointment length varies with the testing you need. When scheduling, ask how much time to allow, especially if dilation, imaging, contact lens testing, or another assessment may be needed.
There is no single schedule that fits everyone. Your age, medical history, contact lens use, symptoms, previous results, and your optometrist’s recommendation should determine the timing.
A comprehensive eye exam helps assess your current vision and can identify concerns that may need follow-up.
DeCarlo Optometry provides personalized eye care in Placentia. Schedule your next exam or call our office if you have questions before booking.
Serving patients in Placentia and surrounding communities.