Eye Exams

An eye exam is a visit that checks how well you see and looks for eye health problems, not just whether you need a new prescription.

An eye exam does more than check whether you need glasses or contacts. It helps measure how well you see, how your eyes are working and can help detect eye health problems early, sometimes before you notice symptoms. Regular comprehensive eye exams, including dilation when recommended, are one of the best ways to protect long-term vision.

With Direct Vision, you can explore affordable vision coverage that can help lower the cost of routine eye exams, eyewear and other everyday vision care.

What is an eye exam? 

A comprehensive eye exam is a full check of your vision and eye health. During the visit, an eye care professional checks your vision sharpness, how your eyes focus, how your eyes move and work together and whether there are signs of eye disease or other vision problems. The American Optometric Association notes that these exams can include testing of accommodation, ocular motility, binocular vision, and ocular health.

What happens during an eye exam? 

Most eye exams are straightforward and painless. While the exact steps can vary by provider and your specific needs, a comprehensive exam often includes:

• Questions about your health history, vision changes and any symptoms
• A visual acuity test to see how clearly you can read letters
• A refraction test that helps determine a prescription correction
• An eye health evaluation that allows doctors to examine your eyes more closely for any issues

Many routine eye exams are relatively quick, though visit time can vary if dilation is included or if you need additional testing. 

What to expect if your eyes are dilated

During the eye health evaluation, your doctor may choose to dilate your eyes. The drops they put in help may make you more light-sensitive and blur your near vision for a few hours afterward. That temporary inconvenience, however, is often worth it because some eye conditions do not show early symptoms, and dilation helps the doctor look for signs of disease sooner.

Why do you need an eye exam?

Many people think of eye exams mainly as a way to update a glasses or contact lens prescription. That's part of it, but eye exams also matter because they help detect problems early.

The CDC notes that some eye diseases can go unnoticed for a long time and may not show symptoms in the early stages. A comprehensive eye exam can help find issues earlier, when treatment is often more effective at preventing vision loss. Common eye health conditions to be aware of includes: glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

You may especially want to stay on top of eye exams if you:

• Have diabetes
• Are age 65 or older
• Have noticed vision changes, eye strain, flashes, floaters or blurred vision
• Have a family history of eye disease
• Why eye exams matter in everyday life

Good vision affects more than reading an eye chart. It can affect driving, screen use, work, school, comfort, safety, and overall quality of life. The National Eye Institute emphasizes that regular comprehensive eye exams help protect healthy vision and catch issues earlier.

How much does an eye exam cost?

The cost of an eye exam depends on where you go, what type of exam you need and whether you have vision coverage. Without insurance, basic eye exams may run around $50 to $100, while comprehensive exams often fall in the $100 to $200, depending on provider type and location.

Your total price may vary based on:

• Your location and local provider pricing
• Retail location vs. private practice
• Whether dilation or additional testing is needed
• Whether you are being evaluated for a medical concern

How vision insurance can help

Vision insurance helps reduce what you pay for routine eye exams and other common vision expenses, especially if you expect to use benefits for glasses or contact lenses. 

With a Direct Vision plan, you'll only need to pay a $15 deductible for yearly eye exams. Plus, you can choose from two top networks with VSP or EyeMed making it even more convenient to find a trusted provider near you. 

Direct Vision makes it easier to stay on top of your eye health while planning for the care and eyewear you are most likely to use.

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