Eye exams are an important part of your annual health and wellness plan. They enable your doctor to evaluate your vision and check for any changes or potential problems. People with excellent vision often skip their appointments, which means they might not know what's in store during their next exam.

If you haven't had an eye exam in a while, you may not be sure how to prepare for the appointment. These tips will help you.

Know Your Vision Insurance Coverage

If you have vision insurance, check with your provider to find out what's covered. Many plans cover a certain number of exams and/or glasses or contact lenses every year. You may also have a co-pay for your exam.

Make a List of Questions and Concerns

Before your appointment, make a list of questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor. This will help you make the most of your time during the exam.

For instance, you might want to ask about LASIK surgery or about the side effects of a treatment option you're considering. If you have a family history of eye disease, you may want to ask about steps you can take to lower your risk.

Don't Wear Your Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses, don't wear them to your appointment. That's because the doctor will need to evaluate the health of your corneas, and that can be difficult to do when you're wearing contacts. You can bring them, especially if you want to get new contacts.

Bring Your Glasses

If you wear glasses, bring them with you to your appointment. The doctor will need to evaluate your vision with and without corrective lenses. The doctor may also use these lenses to ensure that they have an accurate prescription on file for your eyes.

Plan for a Dilated Eye Exam

During a dilated eye exam, your doctor puts drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils. This enables him or her to get a better view of the back of your eyes and assess their health.

It can take several hours for your eyes to return to normal after the exam, so you may want to have somebody drive you home. Your eyes will be especially sensitive to sunlight during this time.

Schedule Your Eye Exam

If you haven't had an eye exam in over a year, or if you have concerns about your vision, schedule an appointment with your doctor. You can typically do this by calling the office or booking online. 

For more information about eye exams, contact a local company. 

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