Comprehensive eye exams are an important part of your preventative healthcare. Even if your eyes seem healthy, routine appointments allow your eye doctor to spot concerning changes early so you can begin treatment as soon as possible. Yearly exams are even more crucial if you have a high risk of eye disease. The optometrist can monitor your health, prescribe medications, and recommend lifestyle changes to protect your eyes. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, follow these tips to prepare for your appointment.
What to Bring to an Eye Exam
Before heading out the door, make sure you have everything you need. Here are the items and information to bring to an eye exam:
- All glasses you currently wear, including prescription sunglasses
- Contact lenses (come wearing them)
- Contact lens case and the solution you use to clean them (you may need to remove your contact lenses during your eye appointment)
- Contact lens boxes with prescription information
- List of medications you take, including eye drops
- Insurance card, if applicable
- Notes regarding any changes your vision has undergone since your last visit
- Questions you want to ask your eye doctor
How to Prepare for an Eye Exam
Plan to arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment, perhaps earlier if you’re a new patient. This gives you time to complete new-patient paperwork without feeling rushed.
Allow about an hour for your appointment, or longer if you might be picking out new glasses, trying out different contact lenses, or discussing treatments at the end. Giving yourself plenty of time helps you remain at ease during the visit.
If the exam will precede an eye surgery or other procedure, follow any additional instructions your optometrist gave you when you scheduled the appointment. This might include fasting for a certain number of hours or refraining from wearing makeup.
What to Expect During Your Eye Exam
It can be nerve-wracking to arrive at a medical appointment without knowing what to expect. Rest assured that the aspects of an eye exam are the same for most patients.
First, the eye doctor or an office staff member will ask about your medical and vision history. When the doctor is ready, you’ll be shown to an exam room. There, you’ll undergo several painless, non-invasive tests to check your visual acuity, muscle movements, and depth perception. The doctor may also shine a light into your eyes to check your cornea, iris, lens, and retina for signs of eye disease.
Some eye exams involve pupil dilation, but this shouldn’t occur at every appointment. Find out in advance if you should expect this during your visit so you can arrange transportation home.
The vision specialists at Snead Eye Group are here to help you enjoy clear vision and healthy eyes. To schedule your next eye appointment, please call (239) 936-8686 or contact us online. We have four convenient locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Cape Coral, FL, to better serve you.