What Happens During An Eye Exam?

If you've never had an eye exam before, it's totally normal to feel a little anxious or unsure about what to expect. At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we’re here to make your first eye exam a positive and stress-free experience from the moment you walk in the door.

Whether you're coming in for blurry vision, headaches, or just a yearly check-up, here’s exactly what goes into an eye exam and why it matters for your health.

First Things First: A Warm Welcome

When you arrive at our office in Geneva, IL, you'll be greeted by our friendly team. We'll ask you to fill out some basic paperwork about your medical and vision history, any medications you’re taking, and if you’re having any vision concerns. We want to get to know you, not just your eyes, so don’t be shy about sharing how you’ve been seeing or feeling!

Step 1: Pre-Testing

Before you see the doctor, one of our trained technicians will guide you through a few quick and painless tests:

Autorefraction – Gives us a starting point for your glasses prescription
Meibography – Takes a picture of your meibomian glands, which are needed to help keep your eyes from becoming too dry
Retinal photos or scans – Gives us a picture of the inside of your eye, which helps detect things like diabetes, high blood pressure, or early signs of eye disease

These tools help us get a clearer picture of your eye health—literally!

Step 2: The Doctor’s Exam

Next, you’ll meet with our optometrist. This part of the visit is relaxed, conversational, and tailored to your needs. Here’s what usually happens:

Visual Acuity Test – You’ll read letters on a chart to check how clearly you can see at various distances. This is the classic "Which is better, 1 or 2?" test!

Entrance Testing – These include various tests that help us check your eye alignment, peripheral vision, eye movements, depth perception, color vision, and pupils

Intraocular Pressure – Don’t worry, no air puff here! We use a machine called the iCare tonometer, which feels like it is tickling your eyelashes.

Eye Health Check – Using a small light and magnifying lenses, the doctor will look at the front and back of your eyes, checking for signs of cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eyes, or other conditions.

Refraction – If you wear glasses or contacts, or need them for the first time, we’ll refine your prescription to ensure your vision is as sharp and comfortable as possible.

Optional: Dilation – We may recommend dilating your pupils with drops to get a better view inside your eyes. It’s painless, but your vision may be blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours afterward.

Step 3: Review and Recommendations

At the end of your exam, we’ll explain everything we found in clear, simple terms, no confusing jargon! Whether your eyes are perfectly healthy or need a little support (like glasses, eye drops, or follow-ups), we’ll walk you through all your options. Have questions? This is the time to ask away! We love helping patients understand their eye health!

Step 4: Eyewear (If You Need It)

If you need glasses, our optical team will help you pick out the perfect pair. We offer a wide selection of stylish frames for all ages and budgets. Our goal? To make sure you are a Sight To See.

Why Eye Exams Matter

Even if you think you’re seeing just fine, regular eye exams are essential for catching issues early, often before you notice any symptoms. Eye exams can even reveal signs of underlying health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. Still have questions? Give us a call, we’re happy to help. We’ll see you soon and help you See The Difference, with Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear