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Is It That Time of Year for an Eye Exam?

For adults and kids ages 6+, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends one exam per year. That can help eye doctors keep tabs on how your vision changes over time and recommend treatments if needed, including prescription glasses.

Are you wondering, “Where can I get an eye exam near you?” If so, For Eyes has you covered. All you must do is call your nearest For Eyes to schedule an eye examination with one of our skilled Independent Doctors of Optometry.

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What is a comprehensive eye examination?

Contrary to a vision screening, which identifies minor eye issues, an eye exam is a comprehensive assessment of your ocular health and visual acuity. Throughout the exam, the Independent Doctor of Optometry may inquire about your family medical history, vision concerns, and lifestyle choices that may impact your sight. 

After discussing your eye health and, when required, dilating your pupils with eye drops, the optometrist will perform standard tests to assess the quality of your vision. Our world-class team of eye care professionals will be there to assist every step of the way, ready to answer any questions you may have.

The full exam will last between an hour to an hour and a half. This will allow the optometrist to take the time to analyze your eyes and determine if glasses are necessary. If you have a refractive error (farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia), the eye doctor may suggest corrective lenses. They are also happy to respond to your questions and provide plenty of tips to maintain healthy eyesight, especially for heavy computer users.

 

What happens during an eye exam?

In a full eye examination, the optometrist may do the following:

  • Review your medical history. They may ask you questions to assess potential vision issues and learn more about your overall eye health. If your family has a history of certain eye conditions or health problems, they’ll know what to look for during your eye tests.
  • Check your eye health. The optometrist will test for refractive errors and other eye conditions, including glaucoma. By identifying these issues early on, the optometrist can help you come up with a plan of action, which may include prescription glasses, lifestyle changes, and more.
  • Test for underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Early detection of these conditions can make treatment easier and more successful. It can also signify the presence of other eye conditions that the optometrist will need to monitor.  If a medical condition is uncovered during your eye tests, the eye doctor can refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
  • Assess your eye coordination. The optometrist may run a series of tests to identify how your eyes respond to stimulation. If you have crossed eyes or a lazy eye, vision therapy might be recommended. This will educate you on a variety of simple exercises to ease your symptoms and strengthen your eye coordination.

 

Feel free to ask your eye doctor questions and share your vision concerns at any time. At For Eyes, our mission is to help you achieve healthy eyesight, and educating you about your eye health is one of the many ways we do just that.

 

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What is included in a comprehensive eye exam?

 

  • A friendly discussion of any vision concerns
  • An analysis of your current glasses or contact lenses
  • An eye health assessment 
  • An examination of the eyes individually and together
  • Personalized vision advice from the optometrist
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What diseases can be detected in an eye exam?

A full eye examination can reveal signs of many diseases. These include but are not limited to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. As we mentioned before, if any diseases show themselves during your eye appointment, the optometrist is happy to refer you to a specialist. 

Why is a full eye examination important? 

Our eyesight evolves throughout our lives, and children’s eyes are only beginning to develop, which is why regular eye examinations are vital. Checking on the eyes every year allows the optometrist to identify and diagnose any vision or eye health isses that may develop. And it gives them a baseline for how much these issues have changed over a given period. 

Computer usage is also at an all-time high for people of all ages, impacting overall eye health. By spending too much time on screens, you can develop symptoms such as digital eye strain. Instead of coping with these symptoms on your own and having them affect your daily life, a timely visit to an eye doctor can help.

By having a regular eye exam, you can stay on top of any issues with your eyesight, update your prescriptions, and treat any early signs of impaired vision. Trust that when you take the time to check your eyes, healthy vision is right around the corner. 

 

Did you know?

  • Over 150 million Americans require prescription glasses or contacts due to a refractive error. (Source)
  • 50 percent of adults living in the U.S. develop cataracts by age 75. (Source)
  • Refractive errors are most common in individuals above age 40 in the U.S. (Source)

 

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What should you expect at a child’s eye exam?

In addition to offering comprehensive eye care for adults, we offer children’s eye exams. This is because regular vision exams are just as vital to your child’s development and overall health as annual physicals.
 

 

What should you expect at a child’s eye exam?

In addition to offering comprehensive eye care for adults, we offer children’s eye exams. This is because regular vision exams are just as vital to your child’s development and overall health as annual physicals. By informing your child about what to expect at a child’s eye exam, you can alleviate any anxiety with them going to their next appointment.

Here is what we do:

  • Discuss Your Child’s Eye Concerns: If your child has been struggling in school, they may have a vision issue. The optometrist will talk to you and your child about your concerns while making both of you feel comfortable the entire time. 
  • Perform Routine Eye Tests: The optometrist will apply eye drops to your child’s eyes and perform additional tests (vision, pupil, eye movement, and eye pressure) to assess their eye health.
  • Fit Your Child for Glasses (If Needed): If the optometrist determines your child needs glasses, they may recommend specific eyewear with impact-resistant lenses at the end of the appointment. They may also work with the other eye care professionals to fit your child for glasses. 

Types of eye tests used at an eye exam

Eye exams can be intimidating if you haven’t had one before, but don’t worry. Our Independent Doctors of Optometry are trained professionals who are equipped to help with all your eye care needs. 

During your appointment, the optometrist may run several tests to check your eye health. What happens during an eye test? The tests may be as simple as having you identify letters on an eye chart to using specialized equipment to check your eye anatomy. The main tests include but are not limited to a(n):

  • Vision Test: All of our comprehensive eye exams include a standard vision test to assess how your eyes perform at different distances. During this test, you will view an eye chart at 20 feet away, using a variety of lenses to see which provides you with the best clarity. This will allow the optometrist to identify farsightedness and nearsightedness, as well as recommend prescription lenses if needed. 
  • Pupil Test: There are a few ways the optometrist may assess your pupils, the primary method being to test how your pupils react to changes in light. Your eye doctor will reduce the room’s brightness and have you view an item several feet away while shining a light in your eye. They will watch how your pupil grows smaller or larger in reaction to the light. 
  • Eye Movement Test: To see how your eyes work together while focusing on moving objects, the optometrist may perform an eye movement test. This involves them waving an item back and forth in front of you, and by monitoring how your eyes respond, they can assess your peripheral vision (or side vision).
  • Eye Pressure Test: The “puff-of-air” (or tonometry test) assesses your overall eye pressure and helps your eye doctor identify early signs of glaucoma. The optometrist may have you rest your chin in a designated place so that you can view light in the machine at the right angle. Then, they will release air into your eye and monitor how your eye responds. 
  • Slit Lamp Exam: A slit lamp is a binocular microscope used to examine the structures of your eye under high magnification. Using a slit lamp, the eye doctor will take a close look at your eye anatomy. It can help diagnose conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye disease.
  • Dilated Pupillary Exam: The doctor will use eye drops to expand your eye’s pupil. That will let them check your eye fundus or retina for signs of disease. 

How often should you get an eye exam?

How often you should see an eye doctor depends on your age, eye health, medical history, and vision concerns. Here are the general guidelines of how often you should receive a comprehensive eye exam: 

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FAQs about eye exams

Can I get contact lenses or glasses at my first eye exam?

Depending on your vision, the eye professional may prescribe contact lenses or glasses at your first eye exam. However, you often do not get to bring the eyewear home the same day because it needs to be fitted with your prescription. It can take a few days to a few weeks to come in, so schedule your appointment as soon as possible if you think you might need vision correction.

Do you take my vision insurance?

We accept most vision plans. To find out if we accept your insurance plan, contact your nearest For Eyes today.

Should my child have an eye exam if they’ve already had a vision screening?

An eye exam is more comprehensive than a routine vision screening. Every child needs an eye exam in addition to a school screening because the full eye exam will allow the optometrist to check for and diagnose vision issues. A comprehensive eye exam can also help keep your child’s eyewear prescription up to date.

What are the signs I need an eye exam?

The signs may vary depending on your age. As an adult, you may need an exam if you’re experiencing blurry vision, digital eye strain, or eye fatigue. A child may need an exam if they’re squinting at distant objects, sitting too close to the TV, or rubbing their eyes more than usual. The optometrist will perform tests at your next eye exam to see if glasses would help you or your child.

Why do I need regular eye exams?

While you may have good eye health, a comprehensive eye exam allows an optometrist to identify eye issues early on. They can also perform tests to analyze your risk for certain eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma.

Where can I get an eye exam near me? 

Click here to enter your zip code, city, or state. Then, you can schedule an appointment with an Independent Doctor of Optometry at your local For Eyes. 

Do you offer free eye exams? 

While we don’t currently offer free exams, we do work with multiple insurance providers to get you the eye care you need. 

How much is the eye check-up?

Please contact your nearest For Eyes to get the cost for your eye examination. 

Can I get an online eye exam?

To properly assess your eyes, an eye examination is important. It will give our eye doctors a chance to spot underlying signs of disease and other eye problems, which could impact your overall health. It will also allow us to test your visual acuity and see if you need glasses. And the great news is that we do offer remote eye exams! Click here to learn more. 


This content was originally published on April 15, 2020, and expanded in August 2022.

Can I get contact lenses or glasses at my first eye exam?

Depending on your vision, the eye professional may prescribe contact lenses or glasses at your first eye exam. However, you often do not get to bring the eyewear home the same day because it needs to be fitted with your prescription. It can take a few days to a few weeks to come in, so schedule your appointment as soon as possible if you think you might need vision correction.
Do you take my vision insurance?
We accept most vision plans, to find out if we accept your insurance plan contact your nearest For Eyes today.
Should my child have an eye exam if they’ve already had a vision screening?
An eye exam is more exhaustive than a routine vision screening. Every child needs an eye exam in addition to a school screening because the exam will allow the optometrist to check for and diagnose vision issues. A comprehensive eye exam will also help keep your child’s eyewear prescription up to date.
What are the signs I need an eye exam?
The signs may vary depending on your age. Adults may need an exam if they’re experiencing blurry vision, digital eye strain, or eye fatigue. A child may need an exam if they’re squinting at distant objects, sitting too close to the TV, or rubbing their eyes more than usual. The optometrist will perform tests to see if glasses would help you or your child at your next eye exam
Why do I need regular eye exams?
While you may have good eye health, a comprehensive eye exam allows an optometrist to identify eye issues early on. They can also perform tests to analyze your risk for certain eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma.