If you have never had a full eye exam, or it has been a few years since your last one, you may wonder what actually happens during the appointment. A comprehensive eye exam is about more than reading letters on a chart. It checks how well you see and looks at the health of your eyes. Here is what to expect, step by step, when you visit Infinite Eyecare in Mill Woods, Edmonton.
Before your exam begins
Your visit starts with a few questions about your health, your eyes, and any concerns you have noticed, such as blurry vision, headaches, dry or sore eyes, or trouble seeing at night. Bring your current glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, and a list of any medications you take. Some health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, can affect your eyes, so this background helps your optometrist know what to watch for.
Checking your vision and prescription
Next, your vision is tested in a few different ways. You will read letters on a chart to measure how clearly you see at a distance. Your optometrist may also check how your eyes work together and how they focus at different distances, including up close for reading and screen work.
To find your prescription, you will look through a series of lenses and be asked which option looks clearer. There are no wrong answers here — your responses simply help fine-tune the prescription for glasses or contact lenses, if you need them.
Looking at the health of your eyes
A comprehensive eye exam also includes a close look at the structures of your eyes. Your optometrist examines the front of the eye, the lens inside it, and the back of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve. Eye pressure may also be measured, which is one of the checks used in screening for glaucoma.
These health checks matter because some eye conditions develop slowly and may not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular exams give your optometrist a record of your eye health over time, so changes are easier to spot.
Extra tests when they are needed
Depending on your age, health, and what is found during the exam, additional testing may be recommended. This can include a wider look at the retina, checks of your side vision, or a dilated exam, where drops widen the pupil so the back of the eye can be seen more clearly. If dilation is part of your visit, your near vision and sensitivity to light may be affected for a few hours afterward, so you may want to plan for that.
Your results and next steps
At the end of the appointment, your optometrist will explain what was found, whether your prescription has changed, and what follow-up is recommended. If you need glasses, you will get your prescription and can talk through lens and frame options that suit your daily activities, work, and budget.
In Alberta, eye exams for children under 19 and seniors are covered by Alberta Health Care. For other patients, Infinite Eyecare offers direct billing to most major insurers, which can help reduce paperwork at your visit.
Book an eye exam in Mill Woods
Infinite Eyecare is located at 4275 23 Ave NW in Mill Woods, Edmonton. Whether it is your child’s first exam, a routine check, or you have noticed a change in your vision, our team can walk you through each step. To book an appointment, call us at 780-425-0003.
