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Basic eye exams for adults

If your eyes are healthy and your vision is good, you should get a complete exam from your ophthalmologist once between ages 20 and 30, then twice between ages 30 and 40.

There are a few exceptions:

If you have an eye infection, injury, or pain, or if you notice sudden floaters, flashes, or light patterns, call your ophthalmologist.
If you wear contact lenses, see your ophthalmologist every year.
If you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease, ask your ophthalmologist how often your eyes should be examined.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults get a complete eye exam at age 40. This is when the first signs of disease or vision changes may appear. It’s important to catch eye disease early. Early treatment can help preserve your vision.

Not everyone should wait until age 40 to get an eye exam.
Some adults shouldn’t wait until they turn 40 to get a complete eye exam.

See an ophthalmologist now if you have an eye condition or risk factors such as:

After the exam, your ophthalmologist can tell you how often you should have your eyes checked going forward. It’s important to follow the schedule your ophthalmologist gives you, especially as you age. The risk of eye disease increases with age.

Seniors and eye exams

If you’re 65 or older, be sure to have your eyes checked every year or every two years. Your ophthalmologist will check for signs of age-related eye diseases, such as:

Remember to always follow the schedule recommended by your ophthalmologist for upcoming eye exams.

What do ophthalmologists check during eye exams?

A complete eye exam is simple and comfortable. It shouldn’t take more than 45 to 90 minutes. Your doctor may have a staff member perform certain parts of the exam. Here’s what the exam should include:

Your medical history
Your doctor will ask you about your vision and general health. They’ll ask you about:

Your visual acuity

A “Tumbling E” eye chart dating back to the 1950s. This chart features capital E’s oriented in different directions, so that people being tested can indicate the direction of the letter instead of having to read different letters.

This is the part of the eye exam people know best. You’ll read an eye chart to determine your ability to see at different distances. You cover one eye while the other is tested. This test helps determine whether you have 20/20 vision.

Your corrective lens prescription

Your doctor will ask you to look at an eye chart through a device called a phoropter. The phoropter contains different lenses. It helps determine the best glasses or contact lens prescription for you.

Your pupils

Your doctor may check how your pupils react to light by shining a beam of light into your eye. Pupils usually react by shrinking. If your pupils widen or don’t react, this may reveal an underlying problem.

Your peripheral vision

Loss of peripheral (side) vision can be a symptom of glaucoma. This test can reveal eye problems you may not be aware of, since you can lose your peripheral vision without noticing.

Your eye movement

A test called ocular motility assesses the movement of your eyes. Your ophthalmologist checks whether your eyes are aligned. They also check that your eye muscles are working properly.

Your eye pressure

The eye pressure exam, called tonometry, measures the pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP). High IOP is a sign of glaucoma. The test may involve sending a small puff of air at the eye or gently applying a pressure-sensitive tip near or against the eye. For your comfort, your ophthalmologist may use numbing eye drops for this test.

The front of your eye

Your ophthalmologist uses a slit-lamp microscope to illuminate the front of the eye. This includes the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens. This exam checks for cataracts or scratches and scarring on your cornea.

Your retina and optic nerve

Your ophthalmologist will put dilating eye drops in your eye to dilate, or widen, your pupil. This allows them to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage from disease. Your eyes may be sensitive to light for a few hours after dilation.

Tests during an eye exam at Art D’y Voir

The price of an eye exam