A comprehensive eye exam is more than just checking if you need glasses—it’s a full check-up on your vision and eye health. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
1. Patient History
Your optometrist will start by asking questions about:
- Your vision concerns or symptoms
- Your medical history and medications
- Any family history of eye conditions
- Your work/school environment and screen habits This helps them understand your lifestyle and identify potential risk factors.
2. Visual Acuity Test
This is the classic eye chart test (e.g., reading letters at a distance) to see how clearly you can see:
- With both eyes together
- With each eye separately This helps determine if you have 20/20 vision or if you need corrective lenses.
3. Refraction Assessment
If you need glasses or contacts, this test measures the exact prescription you need. You’ll look through a machine called a phoropter while the optometrist flips lenses and asks,
“Which is better, 1 or 2?”
This helps diagnose:
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia (age-related near vision issues)
4. Eye Muscle and Movement Tests
These check how well your eye muscles work together and if your eyes are aligned properly. You might be asked to follow a moving object (like a penlight) with your eyes.
This can help detect:
- Strabismus (eye misalignment)
- Eye fatigue
- Focusing problems
5. Pupil Response and Eye Coordination
Your optometrist may shine a light into your eyes to see how your pupils react. This tests neurological reflexes and coordination between the eyes.
6. Slit Lamp Exam (Microscope Exam)
Using a special microscope with a bright light (called a slit lamp), the optometrist examines the front structures of your eye:
- Cornea
- Iris
- Lens
- Eyelids This helps detect conditions like:
- Dry eye
- Cataracts
- Corneal injuries or infections
7. Intraocular Pressure Test (Glaucoma Screening)
This test checks the pressure inside your eye to screen for glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision loss if untreated. There are a couple of methods:
- “Puff of air” test (non-contact tonometry)
- Applanation tonometry (using numbing drops and a gentle probe)
8. Retinal and Optic Nerve Exam (Dilated Eye Exam)
Eye drops may be used to dilate your pupils, allowing the optometrist to examine the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels at the back of your eye. They may use:
- An ophthalmoscope (handheld or headset)
- A retinal camera or OCT scan (for detailed images)
This is key for detecting:
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal tears or detachment
- Hypertension-related changes
👁️ Your vision will be blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours after dilation, so sunglasses are recommended.
9. Additional Tests (If Needed)
Depending on your symptoms or risk factors, the optometrist may run:
- Color vision testing
- Depth perception (stereopsis) tests
- Visual field tests (to detect blind spots or peripheral vision loss)
- Contact lens fitting and evaluation
- OCT scans for more in-depth retinal imaging
10. Review of Results & Recommendations
Your optometrist will go over:
- Your vision prescription (if needed)
- Any eye health concerns found during the exam
- Personalized treatment or monitoring plan
- Glasses or contact lens options
- Lifestyle or screen-time tips
You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your vision and eye health—and maybe a fresh pair of specs!
How Long Does It Take?
A comprehensive eye exam typically takes 30–60 minutes, depending on your needs and whether dilation or extra testing is involved.