Fitting another appointment into your busy schedule can feel like a challenge. But we understand that your time is valuable, and we want to help you plan your day.
A comprehensive eye exam typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. The exact duration depends on your personal eye health (for instance, whether you have dry eye) and the tests that you may need during your visit.
Your Eye Exam Time & What Affects It
While we can give you a general idea of how long your appointment might take, various factors can affect the overall length. As your eye doctor in Trail, BC, we want your eyes to get the attention they deserve.
Your First Visit vs. A Return Visit
Your first visit to our clinic may take a little longer than future ones. We take this time to get to know you and your complete medical and vision history. Return visits are often quicker, since we already have your information on file.
Your Age & Health History
Your age and overall health are important factors. Some health conditions—like diabetes or high blood pressure—may require extra attention. We may also perform additional tests to check for any related eye issues.
Your Specific Vision Needs
If you have complex vision needs or are experiencing new symptoms like burning or blurriness, we’ll spend some time investigating. Specific tests can help us find the right solution for you. This is also true for concerns like dry eye.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Eye Exam
An eye exam is much more than just a vision check. It’s a thorough evaluation of your overall eye health. Here’s what you can expect during your appointment.
The Pre-Exam Chat
Your visit starts with a conversation about you. We’ll discuss your health, your family’s health history, and any vision concerns you may have. You can help make this process faster by filling out any forms we send you ahead of time.
Vision & Refraction Tests
These are the tests that check how sharp your vision is. You’ll look through a series of lenses on a device called a phoropter. This helps us find the prescription (if any) that gives you the clearest sight.
Eye Health Checks
We use modern technology to examine the different parts of your eye. This helps us spot potential issues early. These checks include:
- A slit-lamp exam to see the front and back of your eye with a microscope.
- A glaucoma test to measure your eye pressure.
- A retinal exam to look at the back of your eye, including the retina and optic nerve.
Eye Teamwork & Movement Tests
This part of the exam checks how well your eyes work together. We watch how your eyes move, focus, and team up. Proper eye coordination is important for comfortable vision.
All About Pupil Dilation
Pupil dilation is sometimes part of an eye exam, especially if you have diabetes. It gives us a much better view of your eye’s internal health. It also adds a few extra steps to your appointment.
Why We Dilate Your Pupils
We start by using special eye drops to widen your pupils. As your pupils widen, they give us a better view of the back of your eye, allowing us to check for signs of eye conditions before they can become a more serious problem.
How Long the Dilation Process Takes
The eye drops usually need about 20 to 30 minutes to work fully. You’ll relax in our office while you wait. Once your pupils have widened, the actual examination of your retina goes quite quickly.
How Long Your Eyes Are Blurry After an Eye Exam
After dilation, you can expect your vision to be blurry and sensitive to light for about 4–6 hours. The effects wear off gradually over this time. Many people can return to their daily activities, but close-up tasks may be difficult.
Can I Drive Myself After an Eye Exam?
Because your vision will be blurry and sensitive to light for some time afterwards, we suggest you arrange for someone to drive you home. It’s also a great idea to bring a pair of sunglasses.
Special Exams & Fittings
Some visits to the eye doctor are for more than just a routine checkup. Exams for children or for those interested in contact lenses involve different steps. These appointments might require a bit of extra time.
What to Expect at a Kid’s Eye Exam
Eye exams for children focus on the visual skills they need for learning and development. We check for common issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness. We also assess their colour vision and how well their eyes work as a team.
Contact Lens Exams & Fittings
A contact lens exam includes additional measurements of your eye’s surface. This helps make sure that your lenses fit correctly and feel comfortable. If you’re new to contacts, we’ll also teach you how to insert, remove, and care for them, which adds more time to your visit.
What Comes After Your Exam?
Your appointment doesn’t end the moment the tests are done. We also take time to discuss everything with you. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have.
Getting New Glasses or Contacts
If you order new glasses or frames, they typically take about 7 to 10 business days to be ready for you. Contact lens orders often arrive within a week. Sometimes, we may have trial lenses in your prescription that you can wear immediately.
When to Schedule Your Next Visit
Regular eye exams are a key part of your overall health care. We generally recommend that adults have an exam every one to two years. However, we’ll suggest a schedule that’s right for you based on your health and vision needs.
Your eye health is our priority, and we’re here to make your visit as smooth and informative as possible. At Trail Vision Care Clinic, we combine a friendly, small-town feel with a thorough approach to your vision. Book your appointment with us today—we look forward to seeing you.
