Your eyes and vision are precious, and an important part of caring for your eye health is a regular eye exam. However, you might be wondering how much time you need to set aside for your appointment.
A comprehensive eye exam typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, but this can vary depending on your needs and eye health. Our goal is to be thorough and give your eyes the attention they deserve with our Vivid Eye Experience.
Average Eye Exam Timelines
While every person’s eyes are different, we can provide a general idea of how long you can expect your visit to last. The precise duration often depends on the types of tests required for your vision and health.
Exams for Adults & Seniors
A complete eye exam for an adult or senior usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. This gives us enough time to perform a full range of tests. We check your visual clarity and the overall health of your eyes.
Exams for Children
A child’s eye exam is often a little quicker. You can typically expect an appointment to last between 20 and 45 minutes. We make the experience fun and engaging for our youngest visitors.
What Factors Affect Your Exam Time?
Several factors can influence the length of your appointment. Being prepared can help you make the most of your time with us. Let’s look at a few things that can make your exam shorter or longer.
- Your personal & family health history
- Whether it’s your first visit to our office
- If you have specific eye health concerns or symptoms
- The need for special tests like pupil dilation
- A fitting for contact lenses
A Look at a Comprehensive Eye Exam
An eye exam involves a series of tests to check both your vision and the overall health of your eyes. Here’s what’s involved:
Visual Acuity & Refraction Tests
As part of your eye exam, we’ll measure how sharp your vision is at different distances. You’ll likely recognize the classic eye chart that we use. We also perform a refraction test to determine your exact prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
Eye Health Checks
We also carefully examine the physical structures of your eyes to look for signs of potential eye conditions. These checks are a key part of maintaining your long-term eye health.
- Retinal Examination: A look at the back of your eye, including the macula and optic nerve. Often done with retinal imaging.
- Glaucoma Test: A simple and painless test to measure the pressure inside your eye, and a key part of glaucoma management.
- Slit-Lamp Exam: A close-up look at the front and inside of your eye with a microscope.
Binocular Vision Assessment
This part of the exam checks how well your eyes work together as a team. Proper eye teaming is important for things like depth perception and comfortable reading. We can identify and address any coordination issues that we identify with approaches such as vision therapy.
All About Pupil Dilation
In some cases, we may need to enlarge your pupils with special drops to get a better view of the back of your eye. The drops take about 20 to 30 minutes to take full effect before the exam can continue. Your pupils can remain dilated for 4 to 6 hours after your appointment—causing light sensitivity and blurry near vision—so it’s a good idea to arrange for someone to drive you home.
How to Prepare for Your Eye Exam
A little preparation can help your appointment go smoothly. It also helps you get all your questions answered. Coming prepared means we can focus on what matters most—your vision.
What to Bring With You
Having a few key items on hand makes your visit more efficient:
- Your current glasses, sunglasses, & contact lenses
- A list of any medications you are taking
- Your family health history, especially any eye conditions with a genetic component
What to Do Before Your Appointment
Take a moment to think about your vision before your visit. Be ready to discuss any problems you’ve noticed—such as eye strain, headaches, or blurry vision. No concern is too small to mention.
How Often You Need an Eye Exam
The recommended frequency for eye exams changes throughout your life. Your age, health, and risk factors all play a role. Regular appointments with your eye doctor can help maintain your eye health for years to come.
Recommended Schedule for Children & Teens
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends a first exam between 6 and 9 months of age. Another is suggested between ages 2 and 5. School-aged children and teens from 6 to 18 should have an exam every year.
Recommended Schedule for Adults
Adults from 19 to 64 should have an eye exam at least once every two years. We may suggest more frequent visits if you wear contact lenses or have a health condition such as diabetes. Your personal needs guide our recommendations.
Recommended Schedule for Seniors
Seniors aged 65 and over should have an eye exam every year. Annual check-ups help us monitor for age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Early detection can help protect your sight.
Your eyes are your window to the world, and our team at Vivid Eye Care is here to help you care for them. We are motivated and equipped with technology that can help us answer all your eye care questions. Book your appointment with our location in Cranston Market or Meadows Mile today!
