Eye Care Appointment

First time to the optometrist or are you a regular patient? Being prepared and knowing what to expect are the keys to receiving quality services. Try to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to allow time to check in and fill out any new forms that may be required.

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At the time of your eye exam, you should be ready to discuss with your doctor: your visual needs at work; recreational activities and hobbies, including sports participation; home and garden chores; and any problems you are having with your vision. The doctor will use this information to recommend the most appropriate lenses for your lifestyle needs.

Let your doctor know if you are interested in contact lenses. Fitting contact lenses may involve coming back for a special fitting appointment at another time. {Read the related article on contact lenses.} If you already wear contact lenses, wear your contacts to your appointment. Bring your eyeglasses and any information about your current contact lenses that you have, such as boxes, vials and your last prescription.

The optometrist will perform a series of tests and examinations to see if the internal and external structures of your eyes are healthy. Conditions that can be detected during your eye exam include cataracts*, glaucoma*, and macular degeneration*.

To determine what prescription power you will need for each eye, your doctor will then have you look through a refractor. The optometrist will switch back and forth, placing different lenses in front of your eyes, asking which is clearer, one or two.

Sometimes it may seem there is no difference at all or only a very slight difference. With so many choices, you may feel unsure of your answers. This is perfectly normal. Here�s an example of why this system works so well.

While your visual system may have difficulty determining the exact height of a person standing alone, if there are two people standing side by side, it becomes very easy to determine which person is taller. In the same way, you may find it easier to determine which vision choice is better by comparing two different choices than if your eyes had to look at each choice, one at a time.

After your prescription has been determined, you will receive a written prescription for your lenses. You will then be directed to our Optical Services Department to choose your frames and lenses.

*A glossary of these terms can be found here.