The Basics
If you are age 65 or older, have your eyes checked every 1 to 2 years. People with diabetes need to have their eyes checked more often.
Regular eye exams help your doctor find eye problems early, when they can be easily treated. These 2 types of doctors can perform eye exams:
- Optometrist
- Ophthalmologist
What happens during an eye exam?
- The doctor will put drops in your eyes to enlarge (or dilate) your pupils. A dilated eye exam is the only way to find some types of eye disease.
- You will read charts with letters and numbers to check your vision.
- The doctor will do tests to look for problems with your eyes, including glaucoma. Learn more about the test for glaucoma.
