An eye exam is a diagnostic procedure involving different tests such as a visual acuity test by looking at rows of numbers in various sizes from a distance, having a puff of air blown into your eyes, a slit-lamp exam, and seeing through lenses. It is to check your vision and look for signs of eye disorders. The earlier the abnormalities are detected, the more successful the treatment is. Your doctor can also provide tips on how to take care of and protect your eyesight. The result of your eye exam can also indicate your physical health.
How often do you need an eye exam?
It depends on your age, health, and risks of developing eye diseases.
- Children 3 years and younger. Children can develop eye conditions such as lazy eye or eye misalignment. The pediatric ophthalmologist can detect early signs and symptoms and start treatment as soon as possible.
- School-age children and adolescents. Before starting school, the child should have a vision check. The pediatric ophthalmologist can evaluate the eye health and inform you how often your child should have an eye exam.
- Adults. A healthy adult with no apparent vision problems should have a comprehensive eye examination when turning 40; this is when age-related visual change appears, and the risk of eye disease increases.
Adults 60 or above should have an eye screening test annually or more frequently if they use glasses or contact lenses, have comorbidity such as diabetes, take medications that affect their eyes, or have a family history of eye diseases.
Preparation before the doctor’s appointment
The eye professional you should see depends on your eye problems:
- Opticians can assemble and fit prescription glasses for you. They also sell contact lenses but cannot perform an eye health evaluation.
- Optometrists can provide a comprehensive eye exam, check your vision, and assess eye health, and prescribe prescription glasses or corrective lenses. However, they cannot treat complex eye diseases or perform eye surgery.
- Ophthalmologists can provide all the care as optometrists, plus treating complex eye problems or performing eye surgery.
What you can expect
Before the examIf you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should bring them to your eye doctor to check if you need a new pair of glasses or lenses or not. Bring sunglasses to wear after the exam to help protect your eyes. During the eye screening test, you may have pupil dilation, which can cause blurry vision afterward. You should bring a friend or family member to drive you home.
Sample questions your doctor may ask:
- How is your vision? Do you have any eye problems? Or have you had any in the past?
- Do you wear contact lenses or prescription glasses?
- Do you have any medical conditions?
- Are you taking any medications?
- Have you had any eye surgery?
- Does anyone in your family have glaucoma, retinal detachments, or macular degeneration?
- Does anyone in your family have diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease?
- Do you have any allergies?
- Were you born prematurely?
During the exam
An eye exam usually includes:
- Taking your medical history
- Assess your visual acuity for a requirement to wear glasses
- Measuring your eye pressure, dilating your pupils to check the inside of your eyes
- Evaluate your eye condition by having you look at specialized images, or your doctor may shine lights to check your eye health and perform other tests to assess your visual fields, the function, and appearance of your eyes
After the exam
Your doctor will explain the vision and eye health testing results, the risk of developing an eye disease, and eye care tips for you to follow at home.
