If you’ve never really had issues with your eyes, you may not have prioritized scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams. However, as you age, bi-annual or annual eye exams are important for maintaining both the quality of your vision and the health of your eyes.
If it’s been a while since your last exam, you might be wondering what you should bring with you to your appointment. Keep reading to learn more about what to bring to your comprehensive eye exam.
How Often Should You Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
It is generally recommended that you schedule a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years if you are under the age of 60 and annually if you are over 60. You may need more frequent eye exams if you already need corrective eyewear, have an existing eye condition, or have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or hypertension, that can compromise eye health.
What Should I Bring to My Comprehensive Eye Exam?
You can get the most out of your comprehensive eye exam when you prepare ahead of your appointment. You should start by reviewing the details of your health and vision insurance to determine what your benefits will cover, including whether they cover the cost of prescription glasses or contact lenses.
You should also check whether your insurance requires a referral. A referral isn’t typically required unless you are being referred to a specialist, but it’s good to be sure.
On the day of your eye exam, you should bring the following items with you to your eye doctor’s office:
- Current eyeglasses or contact lenses, even ones that you only use for specific tasks
- The small container you’re your contact lenses originally come in
- List of any medications you take, including any over-the-counter and prescription eye drops
- List of vision or eye concerns
- Vision and health insurance cards
- Photo ID
- Sunglasses (To protect your eyes after dilation)
- The names of your primary care doctor and/or referring doctor
You should plan on at least an hour or more for your eye exam. If your exam includes eye dilation, you should wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from UV light until the dilation eye drops wear off.
What Questions Should I Ask My Eye Doctor?
To make the most of your appointment, consider writing down a list of questions or concerns to discuss with your eye doctor. A written list ensures you don’t forget any of the issues you wish to discuss.
Some of the questions you might want to ask include:
- Are there signs or symptoms of common eye conditions that I should be aware of?
- Does my family history mean that I am at a higher risk of any eye conditions?
- What can I do to prevent eye disease or disorders?
- What treatments are available for my eye condition?
- How will my vision change as I get older?
- What can I do to protect my eyes from digital blue light?
- When should I schedule my next comprehensive eye exam?
You should also be sure to mention any concerns you are having with either your eyes or the quality of your vision. These concerns may include:
- Changes in the clarity or quality of your vision
- Increased presence of floaters or flashes in your field of vision
- Dark spots in your vision
- Difficulty driving at night
- Eye pain
- Dry eyes
You should not hesitate to ask questions or express your concerns. You know your vision and eyes best, and that knowledge can help your ophthalmologist provide you with the best possible eye care.
What Tests are Performed at a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
The tests performed during a comprehensive eye exam enable your eye doctor to assess the quality of your vision and the health of your eyes. These tests include:
Refraction
Refraction is a series of tests that measures your ability to see at various distances. It is used to diagnose refractive errors and create accurate vision prescriptions.
Visual Field Test and Color Vision Test
These tests measure your field of vision and your ability to differentiate between colors. The results of these tests can reveal the early stages of glaucoma or other eye conditions, as well as color-blindness.
Tonometry
Tonometry measures intraocular pressure. Maintaining proper levels of pressure within the eye is crucial for protecting the structures in the eye that make sight possible.
Dilated Eye Exam
During this test, your pupils are dilated using special eye drops so that your eye doctor can examine the structures within your eye. They use this test to look for the signs and symptoms of common, but potentially serious eye conditions, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Why are Comprehensive Eye Exams Important?
Of all the senses, vision is the one that people rely on the most. Just as you schedule annual physicals to ensure the health of your body, annual comprehensive eye exams can help ensure the health of your eyes.
The following are some of the other compelling reasons why comprehensive eye exams are so important:
Vision Correction
Eye exams can catch subtle changes to your vision that you may not have noticed. This is especially true for children who may not be able to articulate specific vision issues.
Accurate Vision Prescriptions
Clear vision relies on an accurate vision prescription. Eye exams ensure that your glasses or contact lenses are giving you the best possible vision.
Early Diagnosis of Eye Disease
The tests performed during comprehensive eye exams look for the early signs of common eye diseases that may be asymptomatic in their earliest stages. Catching these diseases early often leads to more successful treatment outcomes.
Ensuring Comfortable Vision
Eye conditions, such as dry eye, can make everyday vision uncomfortable and impact your quality of life. At an eye exam, your eye doctor can diagnose the sources of discomfort and offer treatments that provide relief.
Comprehensive eye exams do not take long, but they can help ensure the long-term health of your eyes and maintain the clarity of your vision. Preparing ahead of your appointment and knowing what you need to bring can help you get the most out of your eye exam. Is it time for you to have an eye exam? Schedule an appointment at Whitson Vision in Avon, or Indianapolis IN, today!\