A comprehensive eye exam at Vision Source Mandan covers far more than reading letters on a chart. Our doctors evaluate the health and function of the entire visual system, looking at both how well you see and what the condition of your eyes reveals about your broader health. Many patients are surprised to learn that conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even early signs of neurological change can be detected during a dilated eye exam before they produce other noticeable symptoms.

During a comprehensive exam, our team assesses a range of areas, including:

• Visual acuity and refractive error to determine current prescription needs for glasses or contact lenses

• Intraocular pressure testing and optic nerve evaluation to screen for glaucoma

• Dilation or retinal imaging to examine the macula, retina, and blood vessels in detail

• Binocular vision assessment, including how well both eyes work together and maintain focus

• External and anterior segment evaluation covering the eyelids, cornea, lens, and surrounding structures

These findings build a detailed map of your ocular health that we track and compare over time, giving us the ability to detect even subtle changes that may warrant closer monitoring. Consistent exams are how we protect your vision across decades, not just at one point in time. They provide opportunities for intervention when detected on schedule.

Vision changes accelerate as we age, and the conditions most likely to cause permanent sight loss, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts, all become significantly more prevalent in patients over 60. Senior eye exams are structured to address these elevated risks, with particular attention to the health of the optic nerve, lens clarity, and retinal integrity. For our patients in the Medora area, many of whom live and work in physically demanding conditions, maintaining sharp vision is directly tied to safety, independence, and quality of life. We recommend annual exams for most patients over 60, and more frequent visits for those managing existing eye conditions.

Glaucoma management is a focus we take especially seriously for older patients, as this condition progresses silently and causes irreversible optic nerve damage when left unmonitored. Catching and managing it early is entirely possible with regular evaluation.

Children’s vision is closely tied to their ability to learn, develop, and engage with the world around them, yet many vision problems go undetected for years because kids adapt to what they know. The National Eye Institute reports that about 41.6% of Americans are now nearsighted, up from just 25% in 1971, a dramatic increase that underscores the importance of early and consistent eye exams for young patients.

At Vision Source Mandan, myopia management is one of our core areas of focus. When myopia is identified early, there are proven strategies available to slow its progression and reduce the long-term risk of more serious complications associated with high myopia. Our team incorporates current treatment options and, where appropriate, utilizes tools like the Essilor Stellest lens, an FDA-approved eyeglass option designed specifically to control myopia progression in children.

Diabetic retinopathy develops without warning symptoms in its early stages, making routine diabetic eye exams an essential part of managing diabetes over the long term.

Our doctors perform thorough dilated retinal evaluations that allow us to detect early changes, monitor progression, and coordinate referrals when more advanced intervention is needed. For patients with diabetes throughout the Medora region, staying current on annual eye exams is one of the most effective steps available for protecting vision.

The distance from Medora to a full-service optometry practice should not mean settling for less thorough care. Dr. Schauer, Dr. Aberle, and Dr. Dyke each bring specialized clinical experience across the full range of comprehensive eye care services, from pediatric vision development and myopia management to glaucoma evaluation and diabetic eye care. As part of the Vision Source network, North America’s premier network of independent optometrists, our practice has access to leading-edge technology and the clinical resources to deliver a standard of care that meets or exceeds what patients would find in any major city.

​​​​​​​We are proud to serve patients from Medora, Amidon, Belfield, and throughout the greater Badlands region who make the drive to see us