Eye test and glasses

eye test · eye exam · vision test · glasses prescription

The doctor checks how clearly you see and finds the lenses that help you see better. It is painless.

If your distance or near vision got worse, your eyes get tired, or reading gives you headaches. Also for a checkup or to replace old glasses.

⏱ Duration: usually 20 to 40 minutes, longer if your pupils are dilated

Be sure to tell your doctor

Contact lenses. Soft lenses are usually taken out 1 to 2 days before, hard lenses earlier. Check with your clinic.
Getting home. If you get drops to widen your pupils, you cannot drive for a few hours afterwards.

You sit in front of a chart with letters or symbols
You cover one eye and read the lines, then the other eye
A machine quickly measures how your eye bends light
The doctor puts different lenses in a trial frame and asks which is better
Sometimes the pressure in your eye is measured and the back of the eye is checked
You get a prescription for glasses

Nothing unpleasant
After drops to widen the pupils, bright light is harsh and close things look blurry for a few hours

Sudden loss of vision, flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, or severe eye pain: see a doctor right away or call emergency services

Can I choose glasses without a doctor?

Ready-made glasses do not match your eyes exactly. It is better to have a specialist check your eyes and write a prescription.

Do glasses make my eyes worse?

No. The right glasses do not make your vision worse. Without them, you just notice how you really see.

How often should I have my eyes checked?

Adults usually every 1 to 2 years. After 40 and with diabetes, more often, as your doctor advises.