Preparing for an Eye Exam

By Jennifer Palombi, OD

Eyecare experts recommend that everyone have a complete eye exam every one to three years, depending on age, risk factors, and physical condition.

Children. Some experts estimate that approximately one in 20 preschool children and one in four school-aged children have an eye problem that could cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Children without symptoms and who are at low risk for eye problems should have their eyes screened by six months of age, then examined at age three and again at the start of school. Risk-free children should then continue to have their eyes examined at least every two years throughout school.

Any child who does have risk factors for vision problems may need to have more frequent eye exams. Some examples of common risk factors include:

Children need regular eye exams to detect problems that may interfere with learning. Seniors need regular testing for sight-threatening diseases.

• prematurity
• developmental delays
• turned or crossed eyes
• family history of eye disease
• history of eye injury
• other physical illness or disease

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses need to be seen annually to keep their prescriptions current.

Adults. The AOA also recommends an annual eye exam for any adult who wears eyeglasses or contacts. If you don't normally need vision correction, you still need an eye exam every two to three years up to the age of 40, depending on your rate of visual change and overall health. Doctors often recommend more frequent examinations for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders, because many diseases can have an impact on the health of your eyes.

If you are over 40, it's a good idea to have your eyes examined every one to two years to check for common age-related eye problems such as presbyopia, cataracts and macular degeneration.

Because the risk of eye disease continues to increase with advancing age, everyone over the age of 60 should be examined annually. The American Optometric Association provides the general guidelines shown below. Ask your eyecare professional what interval is right for you.

Who Should I See for My Eye Exam?

There are three different kinds of eyecare professionals: ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians. Who you should see depends on your needs.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who specialize in eyecare. Not only do they prescribe eyeglasses and contacts, but they also perform eye surgery and treat medical conditions of the eye. Ophthalmologists are doctors who have received 12 or more years of training.

Optometrists (ODs) are eye doctors who can prescribe glasses and contacts and treat medical conditions of the eye with eyedrops and other medicines. Optometrists generally receive eight or more years of training. Optometrists prescribe glasses, contacts, low vision aids, vision therapy and medication to treat eye diseases, as well as perform certain minor surgical procedures.

Opticians are not doctors, but eyecare professionals who adjust and repair glasses, instruct patients in contact-lens use and grind and assemble spectacles. In some cases, specially trained opticians can determine your prescription and fit contact lenses. Opticians generally receive their training either "on the job" by apprenticeship or from technical schools.

How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost?

Eye exams are available everywhere, from discount outlets to surgical offices, so the fees can vary widely. Additionally, fees can vary depending upon the type of eyecare professional that you are seeing and the type of services that you are requesting.

Generally speaking, contact-lens exams cost more than eyeglass exams. Likewise, there is often an additional or higher fee for services such as laser-surgery evaluations, specialty pediatric testing and complex contact-lens fits.

The best way to be an educated consumer is to ask your eyecare professional what his or her fees are at the time you make your appointment. Be sure that you are getting a comprehensive eye exam for your money. A basic comprehensive eye examination should consist of the following:

• a review of personal and family health history
• evaluation of your vision at distance and near (e.g., determining that you have 20/400 vision)
• evaluation for the presence of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia (e.g., determining the cause of your 20/400 vision and what prescription will correct it)
• evaluation of your eyes' ability to work together
• internal and external eye health examination

[Read more about what's included in a comprehensive eye exam.]

Many insurance plans cover at least a portion of eye exam services. Check to see what your benefits are and what doctors participate in your plan before you make an appointment. Then be sure to let the doctor's office know that you'll be using insurance.

What Information Should I Take With Me
to My Eye Exam?

It is important to have some basic information available at the time of your eye examination. First, be sure to have a copy of your vision insurance card if you will be using it for a portion of your fees.

Also, make sure you bring any major medical health care cards that might provide additional coverage for certain aspects of your eye exam. Your eye doctor will ask questions regarding your basic health history in order to fully evaluate your eyes. To help answer these questions, take your most recent prescription glasses and/or contact lenses with you.

The doctor will also need to know your complete health history as well as that of your family. Take a list of all prescription medications that you take, including dosages.

Finally, have a list of questions or concerns that you would like to discuss with the doctor and be sure to let him know at the start of the exam if you are interested in specialty services such as contact lens fitting or laser surgery evaluation.

[Page updated July 2007]