Eye exams: how long do they take and how often do I need them?

You casually pass by your optometrist on the way to the coffee shop, and your mind suddenly fills with questions: Am I due for an eye exam soon? How often am I supposed to get my eyes checked, anyway? Did I leave the oven on again?  

Don’t worry, we get these questions a lot. Even the part about leaving the oven on. You’d be surprised. Here’s our take: 

How often should I get an eye exam? 

The long answer is that it depends. For most healthy people, you don’t need an eye exam every year. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting an exam based on your medical conditions and age. That can be as little as one to two times in your twenties and thirties, a comprehensive exam at 40, and then yearly exams after 65. It’s best to check with your eye care professional to determine how often you need a comprehensive exam. 

However, there are exceptions. If you have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or other eye disease it’s best to visit an eye doctor for preventative eye exams. 

You’ll also want to visit an eye doctor every one to two years if you wear contacts or glasses. This is to make sure your prescription is still working and to check for any issues with your vision correction of choice. 

How long does an eye exam take? 

Eye exams typically take around an hour or so, depending on the equipment used. Your eye care provider or a staff member will likely ask you about your medical history, talk with you about any concerns, and then conduct a series of simple, painless, eye tests before providing you with your vision prescription (if needed). These tests are usually part of a regular eye exam: 

• Retinal exam: Involves optional dilating of the pupils to see the back of the eye 
• Slit lamp: Gives your eye doctor a better visual of your cornea using a bright light 
• Refraction testing: Measures your prescription 
• Visual acuity test: Helps determine your vision using an eye chart 
• External exam: Check eyelids and pupils for any concerns 
• Glaucoma testing: Measures fluid pressure in the eyes 

Which tests you receive will vary based on your eye health as well as what your eye doctor has available to complete your eye exam.  

How long do eyes stay dilated after your eye exam? 

If you’ve ever had your eyes dilated at the eye doctor, you already know that it can make your vision temporarily blurry, making you feel a bit disoriented like you’re Alice in Wonderland. But luckily, your vision gradually improves over the next four to six hours. Most people are okay to drive home from their eye appointment after having their eyes dilated, but your eyes will be extremely sensitive to light for the next several hours, so make sure to take a pair of polarized sunglasses with you! 

Well, that’s easy enough. Keeping up on your eye health is a breeze when you stay on top of your regular eye exams. Renew your prescription online with ExpressExam in just 10 minutes. And you can always order new contacts or glasses anytime between then. 

Sources: 

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-to-expect-checkup-eye-exam-adults