How to Prepare for Your Next Eye Exam

Being prepared for your eye exam will allow you to provide your doctor with the right facts about your vision to ensure that you receive the information that you need to take care of your vision and overall eye health.

If you are seeing a new practitioner for the first time, be sure to let them know whether you are currently wearing prescription glasses and/or contact lenses. You should also bring your glasses and/or contact lenses with you to the appointment. The eye care practitioner will want to determine if your vision has changed since your last prescription was issued. If you are currently wearing contacts, make sure that you know all of the products that you use to clean and care for your lenses.

Before you go to your exam…

• Check to see if your visit and/or other services will be covered by your insurance plan.
• Be sure to get some rest because your energy level can affect your vision.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after your exam if your eyes will be dilated.
• Be able to describe any vision problems that you are experiencing.
• Know your medical history and your family’s.
• Bring a list of any medications that you are currently taking.
• Prepare a list of questions that you want to ask your eye care practitioner.

What to expect during your exam

If you schedule a comprehensive eye exam, you can be sure that all aspects of your vision will be reviewed and evaluated by your eye care practitioner. A comprehensive eye exam will consist of:

• Basic Exam – Evaluates physical eye structure.
• Eye Muscle Test – Determine eyes movement and coordination.
• Refraction Test – Assesses how light passes through cornea to determine which prescription will give you the sharpest vision.
• Visual Acuity Exam – Gauges how clearly you are able to see objects at a distance.
• Visual Field Test – Assesses your peripheral vision.

Your eye care practitioner may also perform glaucoma, wavefront and/or slit lamp tests during your comprehensive eye exam.

If you will receive a contact lenses prescription, you will also need a contact lens fitting which involves other tests and measurements that are not part of a typical comprehensive eye exam. Although the contact lens fitting is separate from the comprehensive exam, your eye care practitioner may conduct the fitting while you are at the office for your exam.

Before you leave the office…

Ask questions if you do not understand the examiner’s response or instructions.

Request a written copy of the instructions you have been given.

Make sure you receive a copy of your eyeglass and/or contact lens prescription(s).

If you have already seen your eye care practitioner and have received a prescription for contact lenses, Understanding Your Contact Lens Prescription and Contact Lens Basics can provide you with helpful information about purchasing and wearing contact lenses.