FAQs
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How often should I have an eye exam?
Annual eye exams are recommended for all patients unless you have a specific eye condition that may require more frequent visits. Annual eye exams are important to check the medical health of your eye. The fit of your contact lenses must be checked to be sure they continue to fit properly, and are not adversely affecting the health of your eyes.
How long will an eye exam take?
It depends on the makeup of your eyes. Eye exams can range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes depending on what the doctor finds during the examination.
What happens during an eye exam?
Your doctor will evaluate the health of several functions, including:
- Eye muscles (Strabismus, or "lazy eye")
- Pupils
- Intraocular pressure (Glaucoma)
- Cornea
- Crystalline lens (Cataracts)
- Retina (Macular degeneration, Diabetes, and other retinal problems)
- Optic Nerve head (Glaucoma)
- Refraction (Prescription)
- Peripheral vision
Will my eyes get worse if I wear my eyeglasses too much?
In most cases, glasses will not cause deterioration beyond what is normal. Wearing glasses for activities other than those intended can cause this eyes to work harder than they need to. Examples include wearing distance glasses to read up close.
How can I prevent my vision from getting worse?
Give your eyes frequent breaks. Look away from close paper or computer work. Spend time outdoors. Don't hold reading material too close to your face. Ask your doctor about eye-focus skills, and make sure your lens correction is current.
When should a child have his/her first eye exam?
Children should have their first vision evaluation as early as 6 months of age, and annually thereafter - more frequently if a visual problem is detected.
How do you test children's eyes if they are not yet able to read or speak?
Doctors will use symbols instead of letters when testing young children. Most of the testing requires little input from the child.
