Home
Eye Exam

PROFESSIONAL EYE EXAM

At Modern Optical NY, we believe that healthy vision is the foundation of a healthy life.

Our experienced doctors of optometry — Dr. Steven Givner and Dr. Diana Lakovitsky — provide comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. Whether you're due for a routine checkup or experiencing a specific concern, we're here to give your eyes the care they deserve.

Comprehensive Eye Exams

A comprehensive eye exam is much more than a simple vision check. It's a complete evaluation of your eye health that can detect serious conditions — often before you notice any symptoms. Regular eye exams are one of the most important preventive health steps you can take.

During your comprehensive exam, our doctors evaluate:

Visual acuity — sharpness of vision at near and far distances
Refractive error — nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
Eye pressure — screening for glaucoma
Retinal health — examination of the optic nerve and blood vessels
Binocular vision — how well both eyes work together
Color vision and depth perception
Early signs of cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease

We recommend a comprehensive eye exam every 1–2 years for adults, and annually for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of eye disease, or those who wear corrective lenses.

What to Expect at Your Adult Eye Exam

We know your time is valuable. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough of what happens during a visit to Modern Optical NY:

Check-In & Health History — Our team will greet you and review a brief intake form covering your medical history, current medications, family eye history, and any symptoms you've been experiencing.
Preliminary Testing — Before you see the doctor, we perform a series of quick, painless pre-tests: visual field screening, eye pressure measurement (tonometry), pupil response, and photo imaging of the eye.
Visual Acuity Test — You'll read from a standard eye chart at distance and near to assess how clearly each eye sees individually.
Refraction — The doctor will use a series of lenses to fine-tune your prescription and determine whether glasses or contact lenses are needed or need updating.
Slit-Lamp Examination — A specialized microscope allows the doctor to examine the front structures of the eye — cornea, iris, and lens — in high detail.
Dilated Fundus Exam (if indicated) — Dilating drops may be applied to widen the pupils for a complete view of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. Dilation causes mild light sensitivity for 2–4 hours; we recommend bringing sunglasses.
Doctor's Report & Recommendations — After the exam, your doctor will explain all findings clearly, answer your questions, and outline any recommended treatment, follow-up, or prescription updates.

Total visit time: approximately 45–60 minutes for a comprehensive exam.

Pediatric Vision Care — Vision Exams for Children

Good vision is essential for a child's learning, development, and overall well-being. Studies show that approximately 1 in 4 children has an undetected vision problem that can directly impact their performance in school and everyday activities. Early detection is the key — and that's why routine pediatric eye exams are so important.

At Modern Optical NY, our doctors are experienced in evaluating children's vision at every stage of development — from infants to teenagers. We create a calm, welcoming environment so that even the youngest patients feel completely at ease.

Your Child's First Eye Exam: Step by Step

A child's visit follows the same general flow as an adult exam — but with a few important differences tailored specifically for younger patients:

Age-appropriate vision charts — toddlers and pre-readers use picture-based charts instead of letters
Eye alignment & tracking tests — we specifically screen for strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye), which are most treatable when caught early
Interactive refraction — the process is gentle and engaging, designed to keep children calm and cooperative
Dilation if needed — dilating drops may be used for a complete internal view; we recommend bringing sunglasses for your child afterward
Parent debrief — after the exam, the doctor explains all findings in plain language and answers every question; if glasses are prescribed, our optical team helps your child find frames they'll actually love

Total visit time: approximately 45–60 minutes for a first exam.

What We Check During a Pediatric Eye Exam

Visual acuity — clarity of vision at distance and near
Eye alignment and coordination — detecting strabismus and amblyopia early
Refractive errors — nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism
Color vision — important for learning and early education
Overall eye health — internal and external examination

When Should My Child Have Their First Eye Exam?

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the following schedule:

6 months — first comprehensive eye exam to ensure healthy visual development
Age 3 — before entering preschool
Age 5–6 — before starting kindergarten
Annually — throughout all school years, or more frequently if a problem is detected

We recommend scheduling your child's first exam even if no problems are apparent. Many vision conditions show no obvious symptoms in early stages — and the earlier they're caught, the easier they are to treat.

Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem

Many children don't realize their vision is impaired because they've never known anything different. Watch for:

Sitting too close to the TV or holding books very close
Frequent squinting, eye rubbing, or blinking
Tilting the head to one side when focusing
Avoiding reading, drawing, or close-up tasks
Complaints of headaches or tired eyes after reading
Losing their place while reading or using a finger to track text

Contact Lenses for Children & Teens

Many young patients are excellent candidates for contact lenses. Our doctors evaluate maturity, hygiene habits, and prescription to recommend the safest option — including daily disposables, ideal for active kids and teens.

Contact Lens Exams & Fittings

If you're interested in contact lenses — or if your current lenses aren't comfortable — we offer dedicated contact lens exams and fittings. Our doctors will assess your corneal shape, tear film, and lifestyle to recommend the best type of lens for you:

Daily disposables — maximum convenience and hygiene
Bi-weekly and monthly lenses — cost-effective for consistent wearers
Toric lenses — designed for astigmatism correction
Multifocal lenses — for patients who need correction at multiple distances
Specialty lenses — including scleral lenses for irregular corneas

COMMON EYE CONDITIONS

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a degenerative disease of the cornea that causes it to gradually thin and Keratoconus bulge into a cone-like shape. As the disease progresses, the cone becomes more pronounced, causing vision to become blurred and distorted. Patients with keratoconus are usually very nearsighted and have a high degree of astigmatism that is not correctable with glasses.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting either from a malformation or malfunction of the eye's drainage structures. Left untreated, an elevated IOP causes irreversible damage the optic nerve and retinal fibers resulting in a progressive, permanent loss of vision. However, early detection and treatment can slow, or even halt the progression of the disease.

Cataract

When cataracts are mentioned, people often think of a film that grows on their eyes causing them to see double or blurred images. However, a cataract does not form on the eye, but rather within the eye.