Your Eyeglass Experts - Eye Exam at Dau Family Eye Care in Saint Johns, FL and Fruit Cove FL
At Dau Family Eye Care, we believe that a complete, individual evaluation of your eyes is essential for maintaining healthy vision. A comprehensive eye examination is a fundamental part of your overall healthcare. These exams check the complete health of your eyes, detect the earliest signs of ocular disease, and provide the most precise prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses.
Our practice is focused on delivering advanced, compassionate eye care services to people of all ages in the Saint Johns FL and Fruit Cove FL communities.
Whether you are here for a routine checkup or have noticed a change in your vision, our experienced optometrists— Dr. Jordan Dau, Dr. Jennifer Balo, and Dr. Ariella Poon—are available to provide clear explanations and ensure the long-term health of your eyes.
Why Are Regular Eye Exams So Important?
Often, changes in an individual's vision are so gradual that they go unnoticed. You may not realize your vision has changed until it significantly impacts your daily life. Routine eye examinations enable our optometrists to detect subtle changes as they occur, often before they become serious problems.
This early detection is critical because many significant eye diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, may cause no symptoms at all in their early stages. Catching these conditions before they cause irreversible vision changes is our top priority.
Furthermore, comprehensive eye exams measure much more than just your vision. Your eyes provide a unique, non-invasive view of your blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. This allows your optometrist to detect the earliest signs of systemic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and high cholesterol. Identifying these signs can lead to timely treatment and preventive care, both for your eyes and your entire body.
At Dau Family Eye Care, we combine clinical excellence with a patient-first orientation. We provide an environment where your vision is thoroughly evaluated, your concerns are discussed, and you receive a care plan tailored to your specific visual needs and lifestyle.
What to Expect During Your Eye Exam
A thorough eye exam at Dau Family Eye Care consists of a multi-phased, detailed evaluation structured to provide a complete understanding of your vision and health. Here is what you can typically expect:
1. Patient History and Consultation
Your exam begins with a thorough discussion of your medical and visual history. We will review your current prescription (if you have one), any previous eye issues, current medications, and relevant family medical history. This conversation allows our team to personalize your exam and identify any potential risk factors.
2. Visual Acuity Testing
This is the part of the exam most people recognize—the eye chart. You will be asked to read letters or symbols on a chart at various distances. This test measures the sharpness of your vision (e.g., 20/20) and detects refractive errors, which include:
- Nearsightedness (Myopia)
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
3. Refraction Measurement
Using advanced digital equipment, our doctors will perform a refraction. This is the test where you look through a series of lenses (in a machine called a phoropter) and respond to questions like, "Which is clearer, one or two?" This process allows us to precisely determine the lens prescription that will give you the maximum clarity and comfort. This ensures your glasses or contact lenses are perfectly individualized for your needs.
4. Evaluating Eye Conditions
Our optometrists use specialized equipment, including slit lamps and advanced imaging, to examine the health of your eyes. We assess the cornea, lens, retina, macula, and optic nerve to detect early signs of diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, often before symptoms appear.
5. Binocular tests for vision and eye coordination
Good vision requires not only sharpness but also effective teamwork between your eyes. We assess eye alignment, coordination, and depth perception, which are essential for comfortable reading and driving and for preventing eye strain.
6. Measurement of Intraocular Pressure
We will measure the fluid pressure inside your eyes. This simple, painless test is one of the primary screening tools for glaucoma. Because high eye pressure often has no symptoms, this measurement provides valuable information for assessing your future eye health and preventing vision loss.
7. Review and Next Steps
After your exam, your doctor will review the test results and share recommendations, which may include a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses, and advice on eye health. If any issues arise, we will discuss treatment options or referrals for follow-up care.
Eye Exams for All Life Cycles
At Dau Family Eye Care, we understand that eye care needs can change over time. For that reason, we provide examinations for all ages.
Children's Eye Exams
Visual valuation by children is very high regarding learning and development, and most have very excellent vision, but not quite as good as it should be to read or focus well and do better in school. They do not see clearly. They are offered gentle, friendly examinations that might very well determine whether they see clearly and comfortably throughout their growing years.
Adult Eye Tests
We recommend routine eye exams every 1 to 2 years for all adults, even those without vision problems. These checkups help keep your prescription current and are essential for diagnosing "silent" conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy, which may evolve for years without any symptoms.
Eye Checkups for the Elderly
Regular checkups for seniors are vital for monitoring age-related changes and catching conditions early. Early detection of cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma enables more effective treatment, which is key to preserving sight and maintaining a better quality of life.
Our Doctors
Jordan Dau
Dr. Jordan Dau started Dau Family Eye Care with a vision of combining contemporary eye-care technology with a family-friendly atmosphere. After earning his Doctor of Optometry at the Southern College of Optometry, Dr. Dau worked in diverse clinical settings before establishing his practice in 2017. He is particularly focused on ocular health, myopia control, and comprehensive patient education. Dr. Dau is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Northeast Florida Optometric Association.
Dr. Jennifer Balo
A graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Balo brings diverse clinical experience in primary care, contact lens fitting, and pediatric vision therapy. With a kind and gentle approach, Dr. Balo ensures that patients of all ages receive careful, thorough care. She has also volunteered internationally, providing free eye exams and glasses to underprivileged communities.
Dr. Ariella Poon
Dr. Ariella Poon completed her undergraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University before earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2023. Born in the Philippines, Dr. Poon brings warmth, compassion, and a deep passion for patient care to every visit.
Schedule Your Appointment
Contact us today to schedule your comprehensive eye exam at one of our two convenient locations in Saint Johns FL or Fruit Cove FL. Schedule your consultation today by calling (904) 713-2020.
