A comprehensive eye evaluation means a full medical check-up of your eyes, not just checking your glasses number. It includes:

• Checking your vision and spectacle power
• Measuring your eye pressure and Angle assessment
• Examining the front part of the eye under a slit lamp microscope
• A dilated retinal examination to assess the back of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve

This process may take one and half to two hours, but it ensures that no important problem is missed.

This method of detailed eye examination has been popularised by premier institutions like Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, where Dr. Maneesh Singh received his training in management of cataract and glaucoma.

Many patients say, “Doctor, I only want my number checked.” But eyesight is not just about clarity of vision. Several serious eye diseases:

• Do not cause pain
• Do not affect vision in early stages
• Progress silently until permanent damage occurs

If you only get a spectacle test, these conditions remain undetected.
A true complete eye check-up goes beyond vision testing and helps identify diseases before they harm your eyesight.

Here are some common conditions that can be detected only through a comprehensive eye evaluation:

1. Glaucoma (High Eye Pressure Disease) – Often called the "silent thief of sight," glaucoma damages the optic nerve gradually. Vision loss happens slowly, starting from the side vision, so patients do not notice it until late stages. Measuring intraocular pressure and examining the optic nerve are crucial.
2. Retinal Degeneration – The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Degenerative conditions can weaken it over time. Without a dilated retinal exam, these problems remain hidden.
3. Retinal Holes and Tears – Small holes in the retina can lead to retinal detachment, a sight-threatening emergency. Early detection during a dilated exam can prevent major vision loss.
4. Diabetic Retinopathy – People with diabetes may have severe retinal damage even when their vision is normal. Only a detailed retinal examination can detect early changes.
5. Optic Nerve Disorders – The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. Subtle changes here may indicate glaucoma, nerve damage, or systemic diseases.

From a patient's perspective, the process may seem long, but every step has a purpose.

• Vision Testing – You read letters on a chart. This checks the clarity of your vision and helps determine your spectacle number.
• Refraction – Fine adjustment of lenses to give you the best possible vision.
• Tonometry – This test checks for glaucoma. High eye pressure can damage the optic nerve without warning.
• Slit Lamp Examination – A special microscope called a slit lamp is used to examine:
  • Eyelids
  • Conjunctiva
  • Cornea
  • Iris
  • Lens (to detect cataract)
  • Anterior chamber
• Dilated Fundus Examination – Eye drops are used to enlarge (dilate) the pupil. The doctor then examines:
  • Retina
  • Macula
  • Blood vessels
  • Optic nerve

This is the most important step for detecting retinal diseases, glaucoma damage, and nerve problems.

Some patients prefer a quick visit. However, eye diseases do not follow a hurry-up schedule. A thorough eye check-up requires time, careful observation, and precision.
At Netralayam, Dr. Maneesh Singh and his team believe that spending more time ensures better justice to the patient. Quick check-ups may save time today but can cost vision in the future.

Even if you have no symptoms, you should undergo a complete eye examination once every year. This is especially important if you:

• Are above 40 years
• Have diabetes or high blood pressure
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Use glasses
• Work long hours on screens

Regular eye screening helps detect problems early when treatment is most effective.

Vision loss due to undetected glaucoma, retinal disease, or optic nerve damage is often permanent. But with regular, thorough eye examinations, most of these conditions can be controlled or treated in time. A comprehensive eye evaluation is not a luxury — it is a necessity.

When you visit an eye clinic, do not ask for just a power check. Ask for a complete eye examination. Be patient, allow time for dilation, and understand that this detailed process protects your eyesight for the future.

Your eyes deserve more than a quick test. They deserve a comprehensive eye evaluation every year.