Prepare for your eye exam with this guide covering what to bring, symptoms to report, questions for your eye doctor, and understanding your prescription results.
Even if your prescription feels outdated, your doctor needs to measure your current lenses. Bring all pairs you use, including reading glasses and computer glasses. This helps identify how your vision has changed.
Bring your vision insurance card and medical insurance card
Vision insurance typically covers 1 exam per year plus an allowance of $100-$200 for frames or contacts. Medical insurance may cover exams for conditions like diabetes or glaucoma separately from routine vision care.
Gather your current medication list
Over 300 medications affect your eyes. Common ones include antihistamines (dry eyes), corticosteroids (glaucoma risk), and certain antidepressants (blurred vision). Your eye doctor needs the complete picture.
Bring sunglasses for the drive home if dilation is expected
Pupil dilation takes 20-30 minutes to take effect and lasts 4-6 hours. Your near vision will be blurry and you will be light-sensitive. Some patients prefer to have someone else drive them home.
Symptoms and Changes to Report
Note any changes in vision clarity at different distances
Track when you first noticed changes and whether they affect one or both eyes. Sudden vision loss in one eye is a medical emergency. Gradual blurring over months usually indicates a prescription change.
Report any flashes of light, floaters, or dark spots
New floaters or flashes can indicate a retinal tear, which occurs in about 1 in 10,000 people per year. A sudden shower of floaters or a curtain-like shadow in your vision requires same-day evaluation.
Describe any eye pain, redness, or frequent headaches
Headaches behind the eyes or after reading often point to uncorrected refractive error or eye strain. If you spend more than 6 hours daily on screens, mention this to your doctor for digital eye strain assessment.
Report any dry eye symptoms such as burning or grittiness
Dry eye affects about 16 million Americans. Symptoms worsen in low-humidity environments and with screen use. Blinking drops from a normal rate of 15 times per minute to just 5-7 when looking at screens.
Mention any difficulty with night driving or glare
Night vision problems can indicate early cataracts, which affect over 24 million Americans age 40 and older. Halos around lights and increased glare sensitivity are classic early signs worth documenting.
Medical and Family History Review
Update your family history of eye diseases
Glaucoma risk increases 4-9 times if a first-degree relative has it. Macular degeneration also has a strong genetic component. Note any relatives with vision loss, glaucoma, cataracts before age 60, or retinal detachment.
Report any systemic health conditions
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Diabetic retinopathy affects about 33% of people with diabetes. High blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, and thyroid disorders also cause eye changes.
Share any history of eye injuries or surgeries
Previous LASIK, cataract surgery, or eye injuries permanently change your eye anatomy. Even injuries from decades ago can affect current readings. Corneal thickness changes after LASIK affect glaucoma screening accuracy.
Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor
Ask about your risk for glaucoma and macular degeneration
Glaucoma has no symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. Baseline screening is recommended at age 40, or earlier for high-risk groups. About 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and half do not know it.
Ask whether you need updated prescriptions for glasses or contacts
A prescription change of 0.25 diopters or more is typically enough to notice. Contact lens prescriptions differ from glasses prescriptions and expire after 1-2 years depending on your state.
Discuss blue light exposure and screen use habits
The 20-20-20 rule helps reduce digital eye strain: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Position your monitor 20-26 inches from your eyes and slightly below eye level.
Ask about UV protection for your eyewear
Long-term UV exposure increases cataract and macular degeneration risk. Look for lenses that block 99-100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. Polarized lenses reduce glare but do not necessarily provide more UV protection than standard UV-blocking lenses.
Understanding Your Results and Next Steps
Get a copy of your prescription before leaving
By law, your eye doctor must give you your prescription at no extra charge. The prescription is valid for 1-2 years depending on your state. You can use it at any optical shop or online retailer.
Ask about your eye pressure readings
Normal eye pressure is 10-21 mmHg. However, some people develop glaucoma at normal pressures (normal-tension glaucoma), so pressure alone is not diagnostic. Your doctor also examines the optic nerve and visual field.
Schedule your next exam based on your doctor's recommendation
Adults with no risk factors should have exams every 2 years until age 65, then annually. Contact lens wearers need annual exams. Those with diabetes, high eye pressure, or family history may need exams every 6-12 months.
Order new glasses or contacts if your prescription changed
Allow 7-14 days for custom lenses. Progressive lenses have an adjustment period of 1-2 weeks. If ordering online, make sure you have your pupillary distance (PD) measurement, which is typically 54-74mm for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need an eye exam?
Adults 18-39 with no vision problems should get a full eye exam every 2-3 years. From age 40-64, every 1-2 years is recommended because glaucoma and macular degeneration risk rises. After 65, annual exams are standard. If you wear contacts or glasses, annual exams are needed regardless of age to update your prescription.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
Optometrists (OD) handle routine eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and diagnose common conditions like dry eye or pink eye. Ophthalmologists (MD) are medical doctors who perform eye surgery (LASIK, cataract removal) and treat serious conditions like glaucoma, retinal detachment, and diabetic eye disease. Start with an optometrist for routine care.
Should I wear my contacts to an eye exam?
Bring your contacts in their case and wear your glasses to the appointment instead. Your doctor needs to examine your eyes without contacts and may dilate your pupils, which makes reinserting contacts uncomfortable. Also bring the box or know the brand and prescription of your current contacts so the doctor can compare.
How long does dilation last after an eye exam?
Dilating drops take 20-30 minutes to fully work and effects last 4-6 hours for most people. Light-colored eyes (blue or green) may stay dilated up to 8 hours. You will be sensitive to light and unable to focus on close objects, so bring sunglasses and arrange a ride if possible.
Does vision insurance cover eye exams?
Most vision plans (VSP, EyeMed) cover one routine exam per year with a $10-$25 copay. Medical insurance covers exams for eye diseases like glaucoma or diabetes-related issues but usually does not cover routine refraction for glasses. If you have both medical and vision insurance, the billing may be split between them.