Consumer Guide to Eye Exams

Why Are Eye Exams Important?
Routine eye exams can detect vision problems, eye disease and general health problems before you are aware a problem exists. Also, read why vision screenings are no substitute for a comprehensive eye exam performed by a licensed eye doctor.

NEW: Choosing an Eye Doctor
What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? And which eye doctor should you choose?

Eye Exam Cost and When To Have an Eye Exam
Learn how much an eye exam costs and how frequently you and your family members should have your eyes examined. Also, find out what information you should bring to your eye exam.

Eye Exams for Contact Lenses
If you plan to wear contact lenses, be sure you say so when you schedule an eye exam. Your eye doctor will need extra time for a contact lens fitting, which includes measurements of your eye's surface.

The Eye Chart and 20/20 Vision
Why do eye doctors use an eye chart to test your eyes? See examples of the "tumbling E" and Snellen eye charts, and learn what "20/20 vision" actually means.

Eye Exams for Children
Early eye exams for children are extremely important because vision problems often are related to poor performance in school.

NEW: Color Blind Tests
Are you color blind? Learn about color blind tests and make sure you are seeing life in full color.

Contrast Sensitivity Test
A contrast sensitivity test can help your eye doctor determine if you have a vision problem that cannot be detected with a conventional eye chart.

Wavefront Eye Exams
Modern eye examinations using wavefront can identify even obscure vision errors that may now be corrected for the first time through LASIK, eyeglasses, or artificial lenses.

Visual Field Testing
A visual field test can detect central and peripheral vision problems caused by glaucoma, stroke and other eye or brain problems.

Refraction and Refractive Errors: How the Eye Sees
This article explains how light travels through the eye, how the eye refracts or focuses light, and how refractive errors in the eye cause poor vision — but can be detected in an eye exam and corrected.

What to Expect From a Comprehensive Eye Exam
What are all those instruments in the eye doctor's office? The short answer is that some test for eye conditions (such as nearsightedness) and others test for eye diseases (such as glaucoma). Learn more about the devices and tests you are most likely to encounter during a routine eye exam.

NEW: How To Read Eyeglass Prescriptions
Find out what all the numbers mean and why you can't buy contact lenses with an eyeglass prescription.

Understanding Your Contact Lens Rx
You need a prescription for contacts, even if they're just for looks. Here's what all those numbers and terms mean on the Rx form.

Eye Exam Eye-Q
Do you know why the eye doctor puts dilating eyedrops in your eyes? What risk factors would make more frequent eye exams necessary? Put your knowledge to the test with our Eye-Q quiz!

SPONSORED SECTION: The iLASIK Procedure
Learn about this advanced laser vision correction procedure for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

[Page updated January 2010]