Key Takeaways
- Most eye exams take 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish.
- New patients and detailed health histories can add a little extra time.
- Dilation drops take up to 30 minutes to work, and your pupils can stay wide for up to 6 hours.
- A contact lens fitting adds about 15 to 30 minutes to your visit.
- Glasses often arrive in 7 to 10 days, while trial contacts can go home with you the same day.
How Long Should You Plan for an Eye Exam?
You’ve got school drop-offs, work, and a dinner to figure out. So it helps to know how much of your day an eye exam at Eyes on Westlake actually needs.
Plan for 30 to 60 minutes for a full eye exam, with routine visits landing on the shorter end and first-time visits taking a bit longer.
Routine check-ins move quickly because your eye doctor already knows your history. If you’re a new patient, give yourself a little cushion so that your team can get to know your eyes and your concerns.
What Affects the Length of Your Visit?
No two appointments are exactly alike, and a few factors can shift the duration of your appointment one way or the other:
- Your history matters a lot. A first visit runs longer than a return trip because there’s more to gather and record.
- Whether you want glasses, contacts, or both also affects the length of your appointment, since getting contacts involves extra steps.
- Your age and eye health also play a role. If you have vision-related symptoms, your eye care team may need to perform more tests.
- Kids and family visits can take a touch longer too.
What Happens During Your Eye Exam?
Health History and Prep
Your visit starts with a conversation. Our team reviews your medications and past visits, then asks about any potential issues you’ve noticed lately, like blurry text, tired eyes, or trouble driving at night. This part sets the tone for the rest of your exam.
Vision and Eye Health Tests
Next come the tests that check both your sight and the health of your eyes. Your eye doctor will explain each step in plain language, so you always know what’s happening. You should expect:
- Visual acuity and refraction tests to measure how clearly you see and fine-tune your prescription
- Eye pressure and peripheral vision checks
- A slit-lamp exam to look at the structures inside and on the surface of your eyes
Together, these tests help your eye doctor catch small changes early and keep your vision on track.
How Long Does Dilation Add to Your Exam?
Dilation gives your eye doctor a wider window into the back of your eye. The process is simple, though it does add time to your visit. Most people don’t need their eyes dilated during every exam, so make sure you know whether you should expect it.
The drops take up to 30 minutes to fully open your pupils. Once they do, your pupils can stay dilated for up to 6 hours, which means bright light and close-up text may be harder to handle for the rest of the day. If you’d rather skip the drops, retinal imaging can offer a detailed look at your eye without the wait.
Can You Drive Yourself After Dilation?
Dilation makes your eyes sensitive to light and can blur your near vision for a few hours. Because of that, we don’t recommend that our patients drive themselves home after dilation. Instead, we’d rather you arrange a ride home ahead of time.
We also recommend that you bring sunglasses to ease light sensitivity on your way home.
How Does a Contact Lens Exam Change Your Timing?
Contacts sit right on your eye, so they call for a few extra measurements. Expect this to add about 15 to 30 minutes to your appointment.
The fitting process assesses the shape and size of your eye and also includes a comfort check to see how the lenses feel and move when you blink. If you’re new to contacts, a short follow-up visit helps confirm that your lenses are working as intended.
How Long Until Glasses or Contacts Arrive?
Once your prescription is set, you’re at the fun part. Now you browse our optical boutique and find handcrafted frames that match your style.
- Glasses are often ready in about 7 to 10 days
- Trial contacts can go home with you the same day
Regular eye exams help keep your vision sharp and your eyes healthy. Our team at Eyes on Westlake makes the whole visit a warm, easy experience for every member of your family. Ready to see clearly and find frames you love? Book your appointment with your Westlake optometrist today and see why so many families trust us for their eye care.
