Most eye exams take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on what your optometrist will need to perform. The length of time can vary depending on what tests are being performed and how many patients are being examined. Factors that affect the length of your exam include:

• Symptoms
• Family History
• Age
• Whether you’ve had an eye exam before
• Eye Prescription

There are different types of eye exams and their varying requirements are detailed in this article. Continue reading to learn the length and process of each eye exam!

Types Of Eye Exams

Depending on your visual needs there are different types of eye exams. Here listed are the types of eye exams you may encounter:

• Comprehensive Eye Exams
• Contact Lens Exams
• Vision Screening
• Color Vision Test

Comprehensive Eye Exam

A comprehensive eye exam generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes. This type of exam includes testing for vision acuity, checking the health of the eyes, and assessing in-depth how well the eyes work together. The doctor may also perform a contact lens fitting during a comprehensive eye exam.

Contact Lens Exam

A contact lens exam is a type of eye exam that assesses your suitability for wearing contact lenses. This type of exam generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Here at Optical Academy, we will assess your vision, the health of your eyes, and how well your eyes work together. We will also discuss with you the different types of contact lenses available, help you choose the best option for your needs, and train you on how to put them on.

Vision Screening

A vision screening is a quick test that assesses your visual acuity. This type of exam generally takes between 5 and 10 minutes. The doctor will use a chart to test how well you can see at different distances.

Color Vision Test

A color vision test will be able to identify if you are color blind or not. This will involve looking at color patterns and being able to distinguish which color is which. This could take about 5-10 minutes.

What to Expect At An Eye Exam

Before Eye Exam

• provide your medical history
• Gather information on your medical family history 
• Bring your contact lenses or eyeglasses
• Be prepared to ask questions

During Eye Exam

• Evaluate vision needs
• The eye doctor will assess how well your eyes work together
• Test for any eye disease such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and more!

After Eye Exam

• Will get results of your eye exam
• Might be recommended a follow-up
• Sensitive to light if you have gotten your eyes dilated from a comprehensive eye exam.