Eye Exams

A: Eye exams are important because they give your eye doctor a chance to assess your vision and check for eye disease and general health problems before you’re even aware that a problem exists. Like routine home inspections, eye exams help professionals spot problems in their infancy—which is when they’re the most treatable—and correct them or prevent them from worsening. Examples of these problems include dry eyes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

A: A comprehensive eye exam involves a battery of tests that evaluate different aspects of your vision and eye function. The number and types of tests to be performed vary depending on your age, medical history, risk of developing eye disease, and the results of previous tests. Some of the tests include:

• Visual acuity test

• Color blindness test

• Cover test

• Eye muscle movement (ocular motility) test

• Depth perception (stereopsis) test

• Retinoscopy and refraction assessment

• “Puff-of-air” test for glaucoma

​​​​​​​At the end of your exam, your eye doctor will discuss your results with you and recommend preventive measures to help you keep your eyes healthy.

A: The recommended frequency usually depends on a patient’s age, general health, and risk of developing eye problems.

• Age 0 to 5 years – complete vision exam recommended at 6 months, 3 years, and 5 years

• School-age children and adolescents

  • children with no history or symptoms of vision problems – every 2 years

  • children with vision problems – every year or as often as your eye doctor recommends

• Adults aged 18 and older – every 1 to 2 years

​​​​​​​As a general rule, patients who wear glasses or contact lenses, have a family history of eye disease, or have a chronic disease that puts them at greater risk of eye problems should have their eyes checked more frequently.

A: The most important thing to prepare for your eye exam is specific information, such as:

• Any symptoms you may be experiencing

• Any history of eye and general health problems

• Any family history of eye and general health problems

• Any prescription or non-prescription medication you’re currently taking, including vitamins and supplements

• Whether or not you wear glasses or contacts, and if you are satisfied with them

​​​​​​​On the day of your eye exam, remember to bring your current eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, as well as a pair of sunglasses. You will need the latter for the trip home if your eyes are dilated as a part of your eye exam.