your family's eye care

« Back to Home

What To Know About Eye Exams

Posted on

Unless you have noticeably changing vision, you may feel that you can skip a visit to the eye doctor. However, routine eye exams are necessary, especially as you age. Not all vision issues are noticeable at first. You may also get used to small vision changes over time. However, ignoring your vision for too long may lead to big problems down the road. There are three things that you should know about eye exams.

How Often To Get An Exam

Knowing when to seek out an eye exam is crucial. If you notice any changes in your vision, like blurriness or halos, head to your eye doctor as soon as you can. Routine eye exams are recommended every couple of years if you were under the age of 40. If you are over 40, you will need to visit the eye doctor for an exam every one to two years. As you age, conditions like glaucoma and cataracts become more common. This is why you should get more frequent eye exams if you are over 40.

How Much Exams Cost

How much an eye exam costs will depend on your vision needs and whether you have vision insurance. Without vision insurance coverage, the average cost for an eye exam is $114. With insurance, you'll pay a co-pay that, on average, ranges from $5 to $35. Some vision plans may cover the entire cost of your eye exam. Before you schedule your exam, the eye clinic will be able to tell you how much it will cost.

What To Expect During The Exam

Before you head to the eye doctor for an exam, it can be helpful to know what to expect during your appointment. The tests your eye doctor performs will look at two different things, your vision and your eye health. Vision tests determine whether you require glasses or contacts. Other tests look for eye disease and check the overall health of your eyes. While some tests can be uncomfortable, they should not be painful. You may also need to have your eyes dilated for your eye exam, something that can mean blurry vision for a few hours.

While eye exams are not something most people look forward to, they are essential. There are few things that you should know about eye exams. First, knowing when to get an eye exam is crucial. The older you are, the more frequently you will need exams. The cost of an eye exam will also vary depending on whether or not you have vision coverage. Finally, knowing what to expect during your eye exam can be very helpful. 

Contact an eye clinic, such as Northwest Ophthalmology, to make an appointment.


Share