Like other parts of our body, our eyes are vulnerable to various conditions that can impair their health. Eye exams are typically required to update your glasses prescription, but that’s only part of it; they’re also an opportunity for your eye doctor to check your overall eye health.
The length of your eye exam appointment can fluctuate based on certain factors, such as the purpose of the visit, age, health, family history, and any vision-related concerns. Appointments can take anywhere from 30 to 75 minutes, depending on whether they’re standard eye exams or involve additional elements, like specialized screenings for glaucoma.
Regular eye check-ups can help identify potential issues before they drastically affect your daily life. Proactively scheduling regular eye exams is a great way to preserve eye health. If you’re unsure how often you should see your eye doctor, the best thing to do is ask them directly because they can offer tailored advice to your situation.
Comprehensive Eye Exams
The most frequently booked appointment is a comprehensive eye exam, a routine—but in-depth—check-up for your eyes. During this exam, we’ll assess your vision and determine if you need corrective glasses or an updated prescription.
We’ll also look at the overall health of your eyes by looking for early signs of conditions such as cataracts or macular degeneration. From initial testing to a finalized vision prescription, this visit can last around 30 minutes, depending on your age and any specific vision-related issues.
For example, children’s eye exams might exceed the usual time because they need a more detailed evaluation. Older adults also have a higher risk of developing age-related vision problems, which could also extend the length of their exams.
Depending on factors like your age and health, the recommended frequency of eye exams also changes. Here’s a general guideline on how frequently you should schedule an eye exam:
- Children: Children should get a comprehensive eye exam between the time they’re 6-12 months of age, and every year after that. Until they reach adulthood, children and teens should get eye exams annually.
- Adults (20 to 64): Healthy adults can typically maintain good vision with an eye exam once every year. Annual eye exams are especially important for individuals who wear contact lenses. However, those with specific health conditions or vision corrections may need more regular visits.
- Seniors (65+): Seniors should get an annual exam to control age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration.
Contact Lens Exams
People who wear contact lenses know that extra attention is required for proper lens care. That’s why a contact lens exam is often more detailed than a standard eye exam. A contact lens fitting and exam is similar to a comprehensive exam in many ways, but involves an additional focus on getting the right contact lens for your vision.
If it’s your first time wearing contacts, this visit typically includes training on inserting, removing, and safely maintaining your contacts. Since contact lenses directly touch the eye’s surface, annual exams and fittings are required for a proper contact lens prescription.
We’ll also check your eyes for issues that may make it harder for you to wear contacts. For instance, chronic dry eye can make wearing contacts uncomfortable.
A contact lens exam can last from 45 to 60 minutes. The extra time includes additional testing, contact lens fitting, and trial lenses. It’s a minor investment of time to ensure your eyes feel comfortable and stay healthy with contact lenses.
Diabetic Eye Exam
General health conditions, such as diabetes, can affect other body parts, including the eyes. This potential crossover is why experts recommend that people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have an annual diabetic eye exam.
A diabetic eye exam is a specialized examination aimed at identifying any changes in the eyes related to diabetes. This exam aims to spot potential diabetes-related concerns early and manage them promptly.
During a diabetic eye exam, your doctor will likely perform a series of assessments to evaluate your eye health. These tests often include a dilated eye exam, where your eye doctor uses special drops to widen your pupils to thoroughly examine internal eye structures like the retina and optic nerve.
Tests such as optical coherence tomography and fundus photography are common tests that allow your eye doctor to spot any structural changes in the eye compared to previous visits.
Since a diabetic eye exam usually requires dilation of the eyes, it can take about 60 minutes. You spend much of this time waiting for the eye drops to dilate your pupils, so that your optometrist can get a clear view of the inside and back of your eye.
Glaucoma Testing
Glaucoma testing is similar to a diabetic eye exam in that it is a highly focused exam. Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss if not managed correctly. One thing that highlights the importance of regular exams is that glaucoma often starts developing with little to no symptoms until significant damage has already been done.
Glaucoma testing typically uses tests similar to those in a diabetic eye exam, such as eye dilation and imaging tests. However, glaucoma testing is focused on spotting changes in the optic nerve and testing your peripheral vision with a visual field test. If glaucoma testing is included as part of your eye exam, it could push the timeframe to a little over an hour.
Protect Your Eye Health with Regular Eye Exams
Whether your eye exam is around 30 minutes or a bit more than an hour, the time you spend in the exam chair is an investment in your eye health. Each test gives your eye doctor vital information to help you keep clear, healthy vision.
Reach out to our team at Calgary Family Eye Doctors to book your eye exam appointment.
