Eye Exams

About Routine Eye Exams

​At Ridgewood Eye Associates, routine eye exams for eye health, vision correction, eyeglasses and contact lenses are provided by eye physician and surgeon Patricia Burke, M.D., Ph.D. Regular eye exams for adults and especially seniors are the best way to prevent eye health problems such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucomacataracts and diabetic eye problems from leading to vision loss. Regular eye exams for children, teens and young adults help to be sure that vision problems are not interfering with school, learning and even sports activities.  Usually during your visit for a complete eye exam you will be dilated so that the doctors can look into the back of your eyes as well as having a refraction to determine the best vision you can obtain with glasses or contacts. Eye exams and consultations for second opinions regarding eye surgery are offered as well. We understand the importance in getting additional points of view when it comes to decisions to have eye surgery. Depending on your age, your health, your family history of eye problems and whether you have been diagnosed or treated for any eye conditions or diseases in the past, we do recommend that all patients have regular eye examinations.

When Should I Have My Eyes Examined?

Any time that you experience a sudden change in your vision, pain, redness, discharge, flashes of light, floaters or spots, or if you have an eye injury or accident you should call our office immediately at 201-857-4999 and tell the receptionist what you are experiencing so they can prioritize a time for your appointment.

Eye Exams for Adults & Seniors

If you are in overall good health, and to the best of your knowledge you have not been diagnosed with any eye health problems or eye diseases, scheduling an eye examination every two years is usually sufficient. It is important that, if you have any family member who has been told that they have glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or you are diabetic, you will need to be examined at least each year or as directed by your eye doctor or family doctor. A number of eye problems and eye conditions become more frequent with age. In particular, cataract formation and other age-related macula problems increase in frequency for patients over 55-60 years of age, and even healthy people should consider scheduling a routine eye exam each year if they fall into this age group. Anyone over 40 should have an eye exam and glaucoma testing each year, and anyone over 50 with a family history of macular degeneration should also be examined annually.