How to Schedule and Prepare for an Eye Exam Appointment

What to expect when you call to book an eye exam

When you call an eye doctor's office to schedule an exam, the receptionist will ask you a few straightforward questions: whether you're a new patient or returning, what your insurance is (if you have it), and what times work for you. They'll also ask whether you wear glasses or contacts, and if you've had an eye exam before. This takes about two minutes.

The office will give you an appointment time and may ask you to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to fill out a patient form. Some offices now send this form by email or text before your appointment so you can complete it at home. Ask whether they do this when you call — it saves time on the day itself.

If you don't have an eye doctor yet, you can find one through your insurance company's website (search "find a provider"), through your primary care doctor's referral, or by calling your local optometry or ophthalmology office directly. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists perform routine eye exams; the difference is that ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can also perform eye surgery.

Key Takeaways

• Bring your current glasses or contacts, your insurance card, and a photo ID to your appointment.
• If you're a new patient, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete a patient intake form, unless the office emailed it to you beforehand.
• An eye exam typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes and includes vision tests, eye pressure measurement, and an internal eye inspection.
• Tell the doctor about any vision problems you've noticed, medications you take, and your family history of eye disease.
• You'll receive a prescription for glasses or contacts if needed, and the doctor will discuss any findings or recommendations before you leave.

What documents and items to bring

Bring your insurance card and a photo ID (driver's license or state ID). If you currently wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you — the doctor will use them to check your current prescription and see how well they're working for you.

If you're a new patient, the office may ask you to bring records from your previous eye doctor, especially if you've had eye surgery, been treated for glaucoma, or have a history of eye disease. Call ahead and ask whether they need these; if they do, you can request them from your old doctor's office before your appointment.

Bring a list of all medications you take, including over-the-counter ones and supplements. Some medications affect eye health or can interact with dilating drops the doctor may use during the exam. If you don't have a written list, take a photo of each bottle with your phone and bring that.

What happens during a routine eye exam

The exam usually starts with a vision test using an eye chart — you'll read letters of decreasing size from across the room. The doctor then uses a device called a phoropter to find your exact prescription by showing you different lens combinations and asking which is clearer. This part takes about 10 minutes.

Next, the doctor measures the pressure inside your eye using a tonometer, which is a small instrument that briefly touches the front of your eye (or sometimes uses a puff of air). This checks for glaucoma risk. They'll also look at the back of your eye using a dilated eye exam, which means they put drops in your eye to widen your pupil so they can see the retina and optic nerve clearly. These drops take 20 to 30 minutes to wear off, and your vision will be blurry and light-sensitive during that time.

The doctor may also perform additional tests depending on your age, health history, or any symptoms you report. These might include a visual field test (checking your side vision) or optical coherence tomography (OCT), which takes detailed images of the back of your eye. The entire appointment typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

Information to share with your eye doctor

Before the exam begins, tell the doctor about any vision changes you've noticed — blurriness at distance or near, floaters, flashes of light, or difficulty seeing at night. Mention any eye discomfort, dryness, or redness. These details help the doctor focus on what matters most to you.

Share your family history of eye disease. If a parent, sibling, or grandparent has had glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetic eye disease, tell the doctor. Some eye conditions run in families, and knowing this helps the doctor watch for early signs.

List any medical conditions you have, especially diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune diseases, because these can affect your eyes. Also mention if you've had eye surgery, injury, or treatment in the past. The more the doctor knows about your health and habits — including how much time you spend on screens — the more thorough the exam can be.

Understanding your prescription and results

At the end of the exam, the doctor will discuss what they found. If you need glasses or contacts, they'll give you a written prescription that shows your lens strength for each eye, the distance between your pupils, and other measurements. You can use this prescription to order glasses or contacts from any retailer — you're not required to buy them from the doctor's office, though many people do.

The doctor will also tell you if they found any concerns — dry eye, early signs of cataracts, or changes in your retina, for example. They'll explain what these mean and what you should do next, whether that's using eye drops, scheduling a follow-up, or seeing a specialist.

Ask the doctor how often you should return for exams. Most people with healthy eyes return every one to two years, but if you have diabetes, glaucoma, or other eye conditions, you may need to come back more frequently.

What to do after your appointment

If the doctor used dilating drops, your pupils will stay wide for several hours. Your vision will be blurry and you'll be sensitive to bright light, so wear sunglasses if you go outside and avoid driving until the drops wear off completely (usually 3 to 5 hours). Don't rub your eyes during this time.

If you received a prescription, you can order glasses or contacts online, at a retail chain like Warby Parker or LensCrafters, or at an independent optician. You'll need your prescription and your pupillary distance (PD), which the doctor should have measured and written on your prescription. If it's not there, call the office and ask them to provide it.

If the doctor recommended a follow-up appointment or referred you to a specialist, schedule it before you leave the office if possible. This ensures you don't forget and helps you get the care you need on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fast before an eye exam?

No, you don't need to fast or avoid eating before an eye exam. You can eat and drink normally. However, avoid caffeine or sugary drinks right before the appointment if they make you jittery, since the vision tests require you to focus and hold still.

Can I wear contacts to my eye exam?

You can, but it's better to wear glasses instead. Contacts can change the shape of your cornea temporarily, which can affect the accuracy of your prescription measurement. If you only have contacts and no glasses, wear them to the appointment and let the doctor know; they can account for this.

Will my eyes hurt during the exam?

No. The tonometer may feel slightly uncomfortable for a second when it touches your eye, but it doesn't hurt. The dilating drops may sting briefly when they go in. If you have sensitive eyes, tell the doctor before they start.

How much does an eye exam cost without insurance?

Costs vary widely by location and whether you see an optometrist or ophthalmologist. A routine exam typically ranges from $75 to $200 without insurance. Call the office before scheduling to ask about their fees, or ask whether they offer discounts for uninsured patients.

What if I need glasses but can't afford them?

Once you have your prescription, you have many options. Online retailers like Zenni and EyeBuyDirect often cost less than in-office purchases. Some nonprofits and community health centers also offer discounted or donated glasses. Ask your eye doctor's office if they know of local resources.