Questions to Ask an Optometrist
An optometrist is the eye doctor most people see for a routine eye exam, and these are the questions to ask one before, during and after it, with a section for the optician who fits your glasses. The 59 questions follow the visit in order: what to settle when you book, the health of your eyes, your prescription, lenses and frames at the optician's desk, contact lenses, and what happens next.
The questions
Each question, and why to ask it
Before the exam
What does a routine eye exam here include, and how long should I allow?
Why ask it
A full exam usually covers more than reading letters: eye pressure, a look at the front and back of the eye, and how the two eyes work together. Ask for the list when you book, because a short slot sold as a vision test may leave some of that out.
Who will I see for each part: an optometrist, an optician or an ophthalmologist?
Why ask it
The words get used loosely: an eye doctor can be an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, and in Britain 'the optician' often means the whole shop. Broadly, the optometrist examines your eyes and writes the prescription, a dispensing optician fits and supplies the glasses, and an ophthalmologist is the medical specialist you are referred to. Ask how it is divided at this practice so each question goes to the right person.
What am I paying for today, and what does my coverage include?
Why ask it
The exam, retinal imaging and follow-up checks are often billed separately, and an insurance plan or a public scheme may pay for the exam but only part of the glasses. How that works depends on your insurer, employer or country, so have the practice check yours when you book. The counter afterward is a poor place to learn which parts were optional.
Are you likely to dilate my pupils, and can I drive myself home afterward?
Why ask it
Dilating drops can leave near vision blurred and bright light uncomfortable for some hours, and how long differs from person to person. If drops are likely, bring sunglasses and plan the trip home before you arrive, not in the waiting room.
What should I bring: old glasses, contact lens boxes, a medication list?
Why ask it
The answer is usually all three, plus your last prescription if it came from somewhere else. With the old figures in hand the optometrist can measure how much has changed, not only where you are today.
Is a contact lens exam separate from the eye exam, and what does it add to the bill?
Why ask it
In many practices the fitting and the follow-up for contact lenses are a second service with a second fee, even for someone who has worn lenses for years. Say when you book that you wear them or want to, so the right slot is reserved and the price is no surprise.
Should I leave my contact lenses out before the appointment, and for how long?
Why ask it
Some measurements are taken with lenses in and others need the eye to have been bare for a while, and the practice knows which it has planned. Turning up in lenses with no case and no glasses in your bag can mean a wasted visit.
I'm coming in about a specific problem, not a check-up. Is that a different kind of appointment?
Why ask it
A red eye, new floaters or headaches may be booked, charged and insured differently from a routine exam, and some practices cannot see urgent problems at all. Describe the symptom to the receptionist in a sentence and ask how it works there.
Eye health
Which parts of today's exam were checking for disease rather than for glasses?
Why ask it
The back of the eye can be viewed through dilated pupils, photographed or scanned, and those do not all show the same things. Knowing which checks were done, and which were not, tells you whether you had a brief screening or a fuller examination.
Can you show me the photo or scan of my retina and talk me through it?
Why ask it
Seeing your own optic nerve and macula on the screen gives the next visit's comparison some meaning. A typical image put beside yours makes any difference visible, and some practices will send you the picture if you would like your own copy.
What was my eye pressure, and what range would you expect for me?
Why ask it
Pressure is one of several things looked at for glaucoma risk, and a single reading says less than the trend. Write the number down with the date, and ask whether it was taken with the puff of air or a different instrument, since the methods do not always agree.
Is there anything you're keeping an eye on that isn't a problem yet?
Why ask it
It brings out the borderline observations that never reach a letter or a diagnosis: pressure at the top of the range, an optic disc that looks unusual, a freckle at the back of the eye. For each one, the useful follow-up is what would count as a change and when it will next be looked at.
Does my family history or my general health change what you should be checking?
Why ask it
Glaucoma or macular disease in a close relative, and some long-term medications, can change what is checked and how often. Name the relative and the medicine, because 'eye trouble in the family' gives the optometrist nothing to act on.
I have diabetes or high blood pressure. Did you see anything related, and will my doctor get a report?
Why ask it
Both conditions can show in the small blood vessels at the back of the eye, sometimes before you notice anything yourself. Whether today counts as your diabetic eye screening, or that is a separate program where you live, is worth settling, along with who sends the result on.
Is there any sign of cataracts, and how would I know when to do something about them?
Why ask it
Clouding of the lens inside the eye tends to come on slowly, and an optometrist may see it at the microscope long before it troubles you. Find out how they would describe yours today, and which everyday difficulty, such as glare from headlights, would be the point to talk about a referral.
I see floaters now and then. Are mine the ordinary kind?
Why ask it
Plenty of people have a few, and the optometrist can say whether yours match what was visible inside the eye today. The follow-up worth having is which change, such as a sudden shower of new ones, means a phone call that day.
Do my eyes work well together, or is one doing most of the work?
Why ask it
Headaches, words that swim after an hour of reading and trouble judging distance can come from how the eyes team up, which a letter chart does not test. If you have any of those, say so and ask which checks covered it.
My eyes feel dry and tired by the evening. What's causing that?
Why ask it
The cause may be tear film, eyelid inflammation, screen habits, a medication you take, or the prescription itself. These are treated differently, so a specific answer is more use than a recommendation to buy drops.
Which eye drops should I use, and which should I avoid?
Why ask it
Pharmacy shelves hold lubricating drops, allergy drops and redness removers, and they are not interchangeable. Say which ones you already use and how often, so the optometrist can tell you whether the type, the preservative or the frequency ought to change.
How do my eyes compare with what you would expect at my age?
Why ask it
It invites the summary you rarely get: which findings are ordinary aging and which are ahead of schedule. 'About average' is a useful answer, and it leaves room to ask what the next ten years usually bring.
Your prescription
How much has my prescription changed since last time, and is that change expected?
Why ask it
The size of the change matters more than the numbers themselves. A jump that is larger than expected for your age can be worth investigating, since some prescription shifts have a medical cause rather than an optical one.
What do the numbers on my prescription mean, in plain words?
Why ask it
Sphere, cylinder, axis and add each describe something different: near or far sightedness, astigmatism and its direction, and extra power for reading. Two minutes of explanation lets you read every future prescription yourself and spot a change before anyone points it out.
How well can each eye see on its own with the new prescription?
Why ask it
With both eyes open, a strong eye hides a weaker one. The figure to get is the line each eye reached on the chart; if one cannot be brought up to the usual standard with lenses, there should be a reason on record.
Do I actually need new glasses, or would I not notice the difference?
Why ask it
A small change may not be worth new lenses, and an honest optometrist will tell you so. Asking directly separates the clinical recommendation from the sale that follows in the same room.
Driving at night has become harder. Is that my prescription or something else?
Why ask it
Glare and halos around headlights have several possible sources, from a small uncorrected prescription to dry eyes to early changes in the lens of the eye. The answer decides whether new glasses will help, so ask before paying for a coating sold as the fix.
Am I meeting the vision standard for driving?
Why ask it
The standard is set by whoever issues your licence, so it differs by country and state, and it may cover field of vision as well as the letter chart. The optometrist can say where you stand against the local rule, with glasses and without, and what, if anything, you would be expected to report.
Am I starting to need help with reading, and what are my choices when I do?
Why ask it
Holding the phone further away is the usual first sign. The options run from simple readers to bifocals, progressives or contact lenses set for different distances, and each has a trade-off worth hearing before you are shown frames.
Is my nearsightedness still getting worse, and is there anything that slows it?
Why ask it
This matters most for children and teenagers, whose prescriptions can climb year after year. Some practices offer special lenses or drops intended to slow that, so ask what is available where you live, what it costs and how they would judge whether it is working.
Would laser eye surgery be an option with my prescription, and who would assess that?
Why ask it
An optometrist can speak to part of it, such as how stable the prescription has been and how dry the eyes are, but the decision rests on a surgeon's own assessment. Hear the drawbacks here first, and check whether the practice has any arrangement with the clinic it would send you to.
How long is this prescription valid, and what happens when it runs out?
Why ask it
Expiry periods are set by local rules and by the optometrist, and they can differ for glasses and contact lenses. An expired prescription can stop you ordering replacements, so check the date before a trip or a broken frame makes it urgent.
Can I have a written copy of my prescription to take away?
Why ask it
In many places you are entitled to your prescription whether or not you buy glasses there, though the rule is a local one. Look it over before you leave: it should be dated and show both eyes in full, since a partial copy is no use to another dispenser.
With the optician
Which lens options would make a real difference for me, and which are optional?
Why ask it
Thinner lenses matter most at stronger prescriptions, and an anti-reflective coating cuts the reflections off the lens itself, which some people notice most at night. An extra that cannot be tied to your prescription or to something you do every day is the first one to leave off.
Will this frame suit my prescription, or will the lenses come out thick and heavy?
Why ask it
A strong prescription in a large or rimless frame can mean thick edges, and progressives need a certain lens height to fit all their zones in. A good optician steers you before you fall for a frame, so ask early and try the ones they pull out.
Do I need a separate pair for screens or reading, or will one pair do?
Why ask it
People who wear progressives and spend the day at a computer sometimes do better with a second pair set for screen distance, because the part of an all-purpose lens meant for that range can be narrow. Describe your desk setup and how far away the screen sits before this is decided.
If I struggle with progressives, is that fixable, and how long should I give them?
Why ask it
Some trouble in the first days is ordinary and some points to a fitting or measurement error, and from the inside the two feel alike. Get the remake or exchange policy, and the period it runs for, before you order.
Do blue light filters do anything for me, or is it my screen habits?
Why ask it
A filter is an easy extra to add to a quote, while tired eyes at a screen can come from breaks, blinking, distance, lighting or the prescription itself. Put the question to the person who examined you as well as the one selling the lenses, and compare the two answers.
What is the total for this pair with everything on the quote, and what would the plain version cost?
Why ask it
Coatings, thinning and tints are usually added line by line, and the gap between the basic lens and the finished quote can be wide. Seeing both figures side by side lets you choose the extras one at a time.
Can you put new lenses in the frames I already own?
Why ask it
Many practices will, though some charge a fee, some will not take responsibility if an old frame breaks in the workshop, and you may be without the glasses while they are away. Settle all three before handing over your only pair.
If I buy glasses elsewhere or online, which measurements will I need beyond the prescription?
Why ask it
Single-vision lenses mostly need the distance between your pupils, often written as PD, while progressives also need fitting heights taken with the chosen frame on your face. PD is usually measured at the dispensing desk and left off the prescription, and whether the practice will hand it over, or charges to, depends on its policy and on local rules.
How long until the glasses are ready, and who checks them against the prescription before I collect them?
Why ask it
Turnaround can be an hour or a couple of weeks, depending on the lens and where it is made. The check matters more than the date: finished lenses should be verified for power and position before they reach you, and it is fair to have someone confirm that happens here.
Are adjustments and repairs included after I buy, and for how long?
Why ask it
Frames loosen, nose pads wear and screws work out, and most of it takes an optician two minutes. Find out whether that service is free for the life of the glasses, and whether they would adjust a pair bought somewhere else.
Do I need prescription sunglasses, or is there a cheaper way to cover bright days?
Why ask it
The choices include a second tinted pair, lenses that darken outdoors, clip-ons and plain sunglasses over contact lenses. Lenses that darken may react less behind a windshield, so if driving is the main use, say so before choosing.
How should I clean these lenses, and what damages the coating?
Why ask it
The care advice depends on the coating you were sold, and the optician knows which one it is. Hot cars, paper towels and household sprays are the three to raise, along with whether a scratched coating is covered by any warranty.
Contact lenses
Are contact lenses a reasonable option for my eyes, and what type would you fit?
Why ask it
Dry eyes, astigmatism and the shape of your cornea all affect suitability. A useful answer names a particular lens and wearing schedule, not a general yes, and says what about your eyes led to that choice.
Daily or monthly lenses: which suits how often I would actually wear them?
Why ask it
Someone who wears lenses twice a week for sport is in a different position from someone who wears them every working day. Give your real pattern, then ask for the yearly cost of each option including solution, because the cheaper box is not always the cheaper year.
Can I trial the lenses before paying for a supply, and is the follow-up check included?
Why ask it
A lens that feels fine in the chair can feel different after eight hours at a desk. A trial pair and a check a week or two later is a common arrangement, so ask whether that is inside the fitting fee or billed again.
Will someone teach me to put them in, take them out and clean them before I leave?
Why ask it
First-time wearers are normally taught at the practice, not sent home to work it out from a video. Find out how long the teaching session lasts, and whether a second one costs extra if the lens will not go in the first time.
How many hours a day can I wear these, and what about napping and swimming?
Why ask it
Wearing times differ by lens material and by person, and sleeping or swimming in lenses not approved for it is something optometrists warn against because of infection. Get the limits for your specific lenses in writing rather than from the box.
What would an eye infection from contacts feel like, and what should I do?
Why ask it
Pain, light sensitivity and redness in one eye after wearing lenses are the signs usually named, and the usual instruction is to take the lenses out and be seen that day. Get the out-of-hours number now, so the decision is already made if it happens on a Saturday night.
Can I have my contact lens prescription to order elsewhere, and when does it expire?
Why ask it
A contact lens prescription names the brand, the curve and the diameter as well as the power, so a glasses prescription will not do. Whether the practice must release it, and for how long it stays valid, is set locally, so ask at the end of the fitting.
Do I still need an up-to-date pair of glasses if I wear contacts every day?
Why ask it
Expect a yes: for the evenings, for travel and for any day an eye is sore and the lenses have to stay out. A pair made to a prescription from years back is the one you will curse on the morning you cannot wear your lenses.
Next steps
When should I come back, and why that interval?
Why ask it
Recall intervals vary with age, family history, and health conditions rather than being a fixed two years for everyone. If your interval is shorter than usual, you want to know the reason.
Will today's results and images be kept so the next visit can be compared with this one?
Why ask it
Change over time is what most eye monitoring rests on, and that only works if the baseline is stored and looked at again. How long records are kept differs by practice and by local rules, and you can check whether last time's images are pulled up at every visit or only on request.
What symptoms mean I should call you rather than wait for my next appointment?
Why ask it
Sudden floaters with flashes, a shadow across part of your vision, sudden loss of vision and a painful red eye are the ones optometrists usually list, and yours can say which matter most given what was seen today. Put the practice's route for urgent problems in your phone before you leave the building.
If something needs a specialist, do you refer directly, and to whom?
Why ask it
Depending on the country and the health system, a referral to an ophthalmologist goes straight from the optometrist or has to pass through your family doctor. Find out which it is here, roughly how long it takes, and who you chase if no appointment arrives.
If the new glasses give me headaches or feel wrong, do I come back to you or to the optician?
Why ask it
The fault can lie in the prescription, in how the lenses were made or in how the frame sits, and each has a different person to fix it. Knowing the route in advance, and whether a recheck is free, stops a bad pair ending up in a drawer.
When should my child's eyes be checked, and what are you looking for at that age?
Why ask it
Children rarely report blurred vision because they have nothing to compare it with, and some conditions are best treated young. The recommended age for a first exam differs between countries, so get this optometrist's answer, and find out what a school screening where you live leaves out.
What should I be doing between visits to look after my eyes?
Why ask it
Expect a short list fitted to you: sunglasses, screen breaks, lid care for dryness, not smoking, or keeping a health condition under control. If the honest reply is that you are already doing it, that is worth hearing too.
If I move or switch practices, how do I get my records and images sent on?
Why ask it
A new optometrist with no history starts from nothing, including on anything that was being watched. The process, any charge and your right to a copy depend on where you live, so a printout of today's results kept at home is a sensible backstop.
Getting the most from an eye exam
Practical guidance for the conversation itself
Optometrist, optician or eye doctor: who to ask what
The optometrist
The optometrist carries out the eye exam, checks the health of the eye, writes the prescription for glasses or contact lenses and decides whether you need a referral. For a routine visit this is who most people mean by their eye doctor. Before the exam, Eye health, Your prescription and Next steps are for this person, and usually Contact lenses too, though some practices have a contact lens optician do the fitting.
The optician
A dispensing optician turns the prescription into glasses: measuring, advising on lenses and frames, fitting and adjusting. In Britain and Ireland 'going to the optician' usually means the whole visit, exam included, so check who is who. The questions under With the optician belong at the dispensing desk, and they are the ones to ask opticians at any shop you take a prescription to.
The ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease and performs eye surgery, and you normally reach one by referral. That appointment turns on a diagnosis, a monitoring plan or an operation, so it needs its own list. What each profession is allowed to do varies by country and state: if you are unsure who should deal with a problem, ask the practice.
If the exam is running short
Keep five for the optometrist: which checks were for disease, whether anything is being watched, how much the prescription changed, whether you would notice new glasses, and when to come back and why. Everything about lenses, frames and price can wait for the optician's desk or a second visit.
Before the appointment
- Bring your current glasses, all of them, including reading and computer pairs, plus your contact lens boxes with the details on them.
- Bring a list of medications and any conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or high blood pressure, and mention family history of glaucoma or macular disease.
- Note down when the problem happens: end of day, in low light, when driving at night, on screens. That description shapes the exam more than saying vision seems worse.
- Measure your screen distance at work in advance if you spend the day at a computer. It changes what an intermediate prescription should be set for.
- Ask when booking whether dilating drops are likely, since vision can stay blurred for some hours afterward and you may not want to drive.
During the exam
- 1During the better-or-worse part of the refraction, say when two options genuinely look the same. That is an answer the optometrist can use, and a guess is not.
- 2Mention any headaches, double vision, or eye strain unprompted. These change what gets tested and are easy to leave out.
- 3Ask what your prescription numbers mean for the eye you are less confident about, rather than accepting the summary that everything is fine.
- 4Ask for the recall interval and the reason, and put the date in your calendar before you leave.
- 5Ask for your prescription on paper even if you plan to buy in the practice. You may want it later.
Separating the exam from the sale
Two different conversations
The clinical exam and the eyewear purchase usually happen in the same visit with different staff. It is reasonable to take your prescription away, think about it, and come back: the prescription is the same piece of paper next week.
What to ask about upgrades
For each add-on, ask what it does for your prescription in particular and what happens if you skip it. Some genuinely help at higher prescriptions or for night driving, and some are cosmetic.
Fit matters more than frame style
Bridge fit, temple length, and the height of the lens all affect whether a prescription works, and they matter more for progressives. Ask whether a frame you like is actually suitable for your lenses.
Contact lens supplies
Ask for a trial pair and a follow-up check before committing to a year's supply, and ask what happens if the lenses do not suit you after the first month.
Afterward
- Keep a copy of every prescription with its date. A record over ten years is more informative than any single result.
- Find out how long new glasses should take to settle, give them that long, then go back if they still feel wrong. Many practices remake lenses within a set period, so learn what yours is before it passes.
- If you were told something is being monitored, note what it was and when it should be rechecked. Between-practice moves are where these observations get lost.
- Check each eye separately from time to time by covering one. Gradual change in one eye is easy to miss when both are open.