What to Expect in a Checkup Eye Exam: Adults

It’s important for adults to have checkup eye exams on a regular basis to check for eye problems. Regular eye exams are critical for detecting:

• Glaucoma
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy

How often should you have an eye exam? Here's what the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends:

• Ages 20-29: At least once during this period.
• Ages 30-39: At least twice during this period.
• Ages 40-64: Every two to four years.
• Ages 65 and over: Everyone to two years.

Preparing for Your Eye Exam

When you call for your appointment, briefly and clearly describe any vision problem you’re having.

Before you go, list questions for the eye doctor.^. Be prepared to discuss any drugs you’re taking and your (and your family’s) eye health history.

When you go, take your glasses and/or contact lenses, if you use them, and sunglasses for the trip home with your pupils dilated.

During Your Eye Exam

Before your eye exam, the eye doctor or an office staff member will take your medical and vision history.

Your eye exam may take from half an hour to an hour. It will evaluate both your vision and the health of your eyes.

You’ll likely have all or most of the following eye tests (you may also have more specialized eye tests):

Eye muscle movement test. To test muscle strength and control, the eye doctor will ask you to visually track a target in six different directions and observe your eye movements.  At the same time, the doctor will check the exterior eye, looking at things such as the condition of the white of the eyes and the position of your eyelids.

External exam and pupillary reactions.  The doctor will watch the reactions of your pupils to light and objects at close distance.

Visual acuity test. You’ll sit in front of an eye chart, with letters that get smaller as you read down each line. You cover each eye in turn and, using the other eye, read aloud, going down the chart, until you can’t read the letters anymore.

Retinoscopy. The eye doctor may shine a light in your eyes and flip lenses in a machine (phoropter) that you look through while staring at a large target, such as a big “E.” Or the doctor may use an automated machine (refractor) for the same purpose. By checking the way light reflects from your eyes, the doctor gets an approximate idea of the lens prescription you need now.

Refraction testing. For your exact lens prescription, the eye doctor may use the results of the computerized refractor used during retinoscopy. Or he or she may fine-tune the prescription manually by asking you to respond to questions such as, “Which is better, this or that?” while flipping back and forth between different lenses.  (If you don’t need corrective lenses, you won’t have this test.