What to bring
- •Photo ID (driver's license or other government ID)
- •Vision insurance card (if you have one)
- •Medical insurance card (especially if you have diabetes or a chronic condition affecting your eyes)
- •Your current glasses (we'll measure their prescription)
- •Your current contact lenses (with their box if possible — we need brand and parameters)
- •A list of medications you take regularly
- •Any prior eye exam records or prescriptions, if available
- •Your questions — write them down so you don't forget anything
Step-by-step: your visit, from start to finish
- 1
Check-in (5 min)
Arrive a few minutes early. On-site staff verifies your insurance, helps you complete intake forms, and walks you back to the exam suite when it's your turn.
- 2
Pre-testing & retinal imaging (5–10 min)
Modern automated equipment captures your starting visual acuity, eye pressure, and high-resolution digital retinal images. These tests are quick, painless, and create a baseline that we can compare to next year's exam.
- 3
Refraction (10 min)
The classic "which is better — 1 or 2?" test that determines your exact glasses prescription. A licensed optometrist, connected over a secure HIPAA-compliant video link, walks you through it in real time.
- 4
Slit-lamp evaluation & eye-health review (5–10 min)
A remote-controlled slit lamp lets the optometrist examine the front of your eye in detail. Your retinal images and other test results are reviewed live, screening for the early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and dry eye.
- 5
Doctor consultation (5–10 min)
The optometrist discusses everything they found face-to-face on the secure video link, explains your prescription and eye health in plain language, and answers any questions. This is your chance to ask anything — bring your list.
- 6
Prescription, checkout, and next steps (5 min)
You leave with a written prescription you can fill at any retailer (federal law), any follow-up plans clearly explained, and a clear sense of what to watch for between now and your next exam.
About dilation
You may receive eye drops that dilate your pupils so the optometrist can see the retina more clearly. Dilation is not always required — for many patients, our high-resolution digital retinal imaging captures enough detail without it. When dilation is needed, expect:
- •Blurry near vision and increased light sensitivity for 2–4 hours afterward
- •Bring sunglasses or arrange a ride if possible — driving is doable for most adults but uncomfortable
- •Effects fully wear off the same day; no lasting impact on your vision
Your prescription, after the exam
Federal law (the FTC Eyeglass Rule and Contact Lens Rule) guarantees that you receive a written copy of your glasses and contact lens prescriptions, and you can fill them anywhere — at the optical center inside the store where we're located, at any other glasses retailer, or online.
Glasses prescriptions are typically valid for 1–2 years. Contact lens prescriptions are valid for 1 year. After that, federal regulations require a new exam to verify your prescription is still accurate and your eyes remain healthy.
Bringing children
We see patients of all ages. For pediatric exams: bring any glasses your child currently wears, a list of any vision concerns the school or pediatrician has flagged, and a comfort item if your child is younger. The exam is age-appropriate — your child does not need to read complex charts or follow complicated instructions.
For more on what to expect with kids, read our parent's guide to children's eye exams.
After your exam
Most patients leave with everything they need — an updated prescription, a clear understanding of their eye health, and any follow-up plans. If your prescription has changed, you can have new glasses made same-day or next-day at the optical center inside the Vision Center / Sam's Club where we're located, or you can fill it elsewhere.
If anything was found that needs further evaluation (glaucoma testing, retinal specialist referral, etc.), we'll explain exactly what's happening, what the next step is, and help you schedule it. There are no surprises — you walk out knowing exactly where you stand.
Between exams: call us if you experience sudden vision changes, new floaters or flashes, eye pain, or any other symptom that concerns you. Don't wait until your next routine exam for new symptoms.