Your eyes say a lot about you—especially during your eye exam. Not only does an eye exam let you know your current prescription, but it also gives your doctor an opportunity to detect any possible health concerns and help you prevent them from becoming worse.
For most adults, eye doctors recommend that you have an eye exam at least every two years. As fall approaches, there’s no better time to schedule an appointment. To ensure you can get the most accurate results during your next visit, here are some key tips to remember before you stop in.
Don’t Forget Your Current Prescription Eyewear
Chances are you’re already wearing—or planning to bring—your prescription eyewear to your appointment. Just don’t forget them. Your doctor will want to check your current prescription against any changes.
In addition to your current eyewear, we recommend that you bring a pair of sunglasses with you. If dilation is a part of your appointment, wearing sunglasses will help you manage any light sensitivity and keep your eyes comfortable.
Don’t Strain Your Eyes
Coming into your exam with well-rested eyes will help maximize the accuracy of your results. Activities like digital device usage, reading, or driving for long periods of time can cause eye strain and eye fatigue, which can affect your exam results.
A good way to ensure well-rested eyes is to schedule your exam early in the morning. An early appointment is especially beneficial if your job has you looking at a screen for hours. We understand morning appointments aren’t an option for everyone. If you schedule your exam later in the day, we recommend resting your eyes as much as possible in the hour or two before you arrive at our clinic.
Don’t Ingest Caffeine or Alcohol
Your daily cup of coffee doesn’t just help you rise out of bed, it can also raise your blood pressure. Even though you won’t likely notice it, a significant shift in blood pressure can affect your vision and cause inaccurate measurements in your eye exam. To avoid this, we recommend holding off on caffeine until after your appointment. Alternatively, you can switch to decaf or herbal tea.
Alcohol also increases blood pressure and can make your eyes feel dry or dehydrated. For the most accurate exam results, it’s best to refrain from drinking 24 hours before your appointment.
Don’t Forget Your Insurance Information
Unless you plan to pay out of pocket, we recommend you bring your vision and/or medical insurance information. If you’re coming in for a standard checkup, your vision insurance should be enough. Having your medical insurance information with you will help if you’re concerned about a potential medical issue, such as glaucoma or dry eye.
Bringing current copies of your vision or medical insurance will help streamline the billing process. Also, be sure to bring your government-issued ID.
Don’t Feel Anxious
It’s normal to feel nervous before any kind of exam. At Center For Sight, eye exams are a quick and painless experience thanks to our advanced technology. We use non-invasive digital cameras for retinal scans and corneal imaging. Exams are also relatively quick, taking less than an hour on average.
The only discomfort you may face is a sensitivity to light after eye dilation. Eye dilation may be necessary during your exam so your doctor can check for issues like a torn retina, glaucoma, cataracts, and more. While light sensitivity can be mildly irritating, know that it won’t last long and that your vision will return to normal. Bringing a pair of sunglasses also helps with any discomfort.
Don’t Wait to Schedule Your Appointment
Do or don’t—no matter how you frame it, there are numerous ways to prepare for your next eye exam. From avoiding caffeine and alcohol to bringing your current prescriptive eyewear, everything you do (and don’t do) goes a long way.
This National Eye Exam Month, don’t wait to schedule an appointment at one of Center For Sight’s four conveniently located clinics in Las Vegas.
