Top Tips on How to Prepare for Your Next Eye Exam

Are you due for an eye exam with your family optometrist? Here are some top tips to make your next appointment with your eye doctor easier and why such checkups are so important for your eye health and overall well-being.

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Whether you’ve never had a comprehensive eye exam before, or it’s been many years since you last visited your Calgary eye doctor, you may be unsure of what to expect from this appointment. During the checkup, your optometrist will: 

• Determine your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription (if you have one) 
• Assess your eye health 
• Check for signs of any eye conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or cataracts 
• Check how your eyes work together 
• Check for any signs of other health conditions, such as diabetes 

How often should I have an eye exam? Your eyesight is one of your most important senses, which is why it’s recommended that adults have a comprehensive eye exam every 2-3 years and seniors must have more frequent checkups. 

Our Calgary Optometrists Provide Comprehensive Eye Exams for the Whole Family

At Blink Eyewear, our friendly, knowledgeable, and highly professional optometrists provide comprehensive eye health services for your entire family including eye exams, emergency eye care, and digital retinal imaging, helping you achieve and maintain optimal eye health and clear, comfortable vision.

Want to know more? 

CONTACT OUR CALGARY OPTOMETRISTS  

Top Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Eye Exam 

A yearly eye exam is a great way to take care of both your eyes and your overall health. During this appointment, your eye doctor can detect signs of serious conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as eye conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

But this visit to your optometrist doesn’t have to feel intimidating! Knowing how to prepare for the visit and thinking ahead will help make the appointment much easier and stress-free. Here are some things to consider: 

Top Things to Think About Before Your Eye Exam

During your eye exam, your optometrist will ask you questions about your eye health, daily habits, family history, and any concerns you may have about your vision. Before your appointment, consider the following: 

1. Have you noticed any eye problems such as flashes of light, poor night vision, double vision, blurry vision, or increased light sensitivity?
2. Does your family have a history of eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts? 
3. Is your vision impacting your quality of life or preventing you from doing certain activities? 
4. Have you had any issues, injuries, or operations recently that you think your eye doctor should know about? 
5. Do you require any advice on how to take care of your eyeglasses or contact lenses? 

What to Bring to Your Eye Exam

There are certain things you can bring to your eye exam to make the process less frustrating and ensure it moves along smoothly. This includes: 

1. Your current eyeglasses or contact lenses
2. Your vision insurance information 
3. A list of current medications that you are on. Your eye doctor may look at the list to determine if any medications are affecting your vision
4. If your appointment includes having your pupils dilated, make sure to bring a friend or family member along who can drive you home 
5. A list of questions you want to ask your eye doctor 

Questions You May Want to Ask Your Eye Doctor 

To make the most out of your eye exam, there are certain things you may want to ask your eye doctor. This includes: 

1. What are my options for improving my vision? 
2. Has anything changed about my eyes or vision since my last eye exam that I need to know about? 
3. How can I protect my vision while staying active? 
4. How many hours a day can I wear my contact lenses? 
5. How can I take care of my contact lenses to lower my risk of infection or dry eyes? (9 Things You Should Never Do With Your Contact Lenses >)
6. What are the things that I can do to protect my eyes from harmful blue light while using digital devices? (4 Simple Tips to Prevent Digital Eye Strain >)
7. What are the lifestyle changes I can make to protect my eyes and overall health? 
8. Am I a candidate for LASIK eye surgery? (6 Signs You May Be a Good Candidate For Laser Eye Surgery >)
9. Do I need to have both contact lenses and eyeglasses? 
10. What are the signs of vision problems that I must look out for in between my appointments? 

With just a little bit of preparation, your eye exam will be a simple and straightforward process. By taking some time beforehand, you will ensure that you get the most out of this appointment with your optometrist. 

Book an Eye Exam Today

Are you due for your next eye exam? To find out more about how you can prepare for this appointment, or to learn about our range of ocular health services, contact us at our Crowfoot (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292) branches.

FAQS

1. Can I wear contact lenses to my eye exam? Yes you should - especially if you want your eye doctor to evaluate the fit of your contact lenses. However, you may be asked to remove your contact lenses during the check-up, so please make sure to bring your contact lens case and eyeglasses with you.
2. How often do I need an eye exam? Most eye care professionals recommend that you have your eyes checked at least once every 1-2 years. However this depends largely on your risk factors, family history of eye disease, age, and whether you wear eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. 
3. What shouldn't I do before my eye exam? In order to make sure your eye exam goes as smoothly and accurately as possible, you should consider staying away from caffeine that morning, avoid screen time beforehand if you can, and don't put excess pressure on your eyes.