What to Expect at Your LensCrafters Eye Appointment

What happens during a LensCrafters eye exam

A LensCrafters eye appointment typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes and includes both an eye exam and time to browse or order frames and lenses. The exam itself — usually done by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who works in the store — takes about 30 minutes. You'll read letters on a chart, look through a machine called a phoropter that flips different lenses in front of your eyes, and have your eye pressure checked. The optometrist will also look at the back of your eye with a special light.

After the exam, a LensCrafters associate will help you choose frames if you need new glasses, or confirm your current prescription if you're just renewing contacts. If you order glasses, they're usually ready in one to two weeks, though some locations offer same-day service for certain frame and lens combinations. If you're there for contacts, you may leave with a trial pair the same day.

Key Takeaways

• Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and your current glasses or contact lens prescription if you have one.
• The eye exam takes about 30 minutes, but plan for 60 to 90 minutes total if you're ordering new glasses or trying contacts.
• LensCrafters can fill prescriptions written by any eye doctor, not just the one examining you in the store.
• If you don't have an eye exam yet, you'll need one before ordering glasses or contacts — LensCrafters cannot sell corrective lenses without a current prescription.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your insurance card if you have vision coverage — LensCrafters accepts most major plans, and the store can often bill your insurance directly. Bring a photo ID as well. If you wear glasses or contacts now, bring them with you; the optometrist will use your current prescription as a starting point and may ask you to compare your old and new prescriptions side by side.

If you've had an eye exam elsewhere in the past year and have a copy of your prescription, bring that too. LensCrafters will fill a prescription from any licensed eye doctor, so you don't have to be examined in the store if you already have a recent one. Write down any questions about your vision, eye health, or the frames you're interested in — the associate can answer them while you're there.

Scheduling and wait times

You can schedule a LensCrafters eye exam online through their website, by calling your local store, or by walking in. Online booking shows available times at your nearest location and lets you choose a specific optometrist if you have a preference. Walk-ins are usually accommodated, but wait times vary by location and time of day — mornings and weekday afternoons tend to be quieter than evenings and weekends.

If you book online or by phone, you'll receive a confirmation with your appointment time and location. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete a brief health history form. If you're a new patient, the form asks about your medical history, current medications, and any vision problems you've noticed. Returning patients usually just update their information.

What the eye exam includes

The optometrist will start by asking about your vision — whether you have trouble seeing far away, up close, or both, and whether you've noticed any changes. They'll check your eye pressure using a small puff of air or a gentle probe, a test called tonometry. This screens for glaucoma and takes only a few seconds per eye.

Next comes the refraction, the part where you look through the phoropter and say which lens is clearer: "One or two?" The optometrist will dial through different prescriptions until they find the one that gives you the sharpest vision. They'll also check how well your eyes work together and whether you need a correction for astigmatism (an uneven curve in the cornea). At the end, they'll dilate your pupils with eye drops so they can examine the retina and optic nerve at the back of your eye. Dilation takes about 20 minutes to wear off, and your vision will be blurry and light-sensitive during that time — bring sunglasses or ask for a pair at the store.

Understanding your prescription and lens options

After the exam, the optometrist will give you a written prescription with three numbers for each eye: sphere (the main focusing power), cylinder (astigmatism correction if needed), and axis (the angle of that correction). You'll also see your pupillary distance, or PD — the distance between your pupils — which is needed to make glasses. The prescription is valid for one to two years depending on your age and eye health.

A LensCrafters associate will then walk you through frame styles and lens options. Standard plastic lenses are included with most frame purchases, but you can upgrade to high-index plastic (thinner and lighter if you have a strong prescription), progressive lenses (for reading and distance in one lens), or blue-light-filtering lenses. Coatings like anti-scratch and anti-glare are also available. The associate will explain what each option costs and how long it takes to make your glasses.

Contact lens fittings at LensCrafters

If you want to switch to contacts or need a new fitting, the optometrist will measure your cornea with a device called a keratometer and may take a digital image of your eye's surface. They'll discuss different contact lens types — daily disposables, weekly, or monthly — and let you try on a trial pair to make sure they're comfortable and give you clear vision. You'll learn how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses before you leave.

Contact lens prescriptions are separate from glasses prescriptions and expire after one year. If you order contacts at your appointment, LensCrafters will ship them to you or have them ready for pickup within a few days. The store also sells contact lens solution and cases, and staff can answer questions about lens care during future visits.

After your appointment

If you ordered glasses, you'll receive a call or email when they're ready — usually within one to two weeks. You can pick them up at the location where you ordered them or have them shipped to your home. When you pick up your glasses, a staff member will adjust them to fit your face properly and show you how to clean and care for them.

If your eyes feel uncomfortable after dilation, the blurriness and light sensitivity will fade within 20 to 30 minutes. Wear sunglasses if you're driving or spending time outside. If you experience pain, significant blurriness that doesn't improve, or flashing lights or new floaters in the days after your appointment, contact your eye doctor — these can be signs of a problem that needs attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?

Both options work. Scheduling online or by phone guarantees a time slot and usually means a shorter wait, but LensCrafters accepts walk-ins at most locations. Expect to wait 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the store is.

Can I use my insurance at LensCrafters?

Yes. LensCrafters accepts most major vision insurance plans and many medical insurance plans that cover eye exams. Bring your card so the store can verify your coverage and apply any benefits to your exam or glasses purchase.

What if I already have a prescription from another eye doctor?

LensCrafters will fill any valid prescription from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. You don't need to be examined in the store — just bring your prescription and choose your frames and lenses.

How long does it take to get my glasses?

Standard glasses usually take one to two weeks. Some locations offer same-day or next-day service for certain frame and lens combinations — ask the associate when you order. Rush services may cost extra.

Will my eyes be dilated during the exam?

Yes, in most cases. Dilation lets the optometrist see the back of your eye and check for problems like retinal damage or glaucoma. Your vision will be blurry and sensitive to light for 20 to 30 minutes afterward, so bring sunglasses or ask for a pair at the store.