6 Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor at Your Next Eye Exam

Getting an eye exam every 1-2 years helps you keep your glasses prescription up to date and identify eye problems as early as possible. Each exam is an opportunity to learn more about your eyes and vision from a trusted ophthalmologist. 

Fellowship-trained ophthalmologist Lori Dao, MD, encourages adults and kids to get regular eye exams at the Adult Strabismus Institute in Plano, Texas. During exams, she can identify the root cause of double vision or other issues and recommend treatment. 

Dr. Dao is ready to answer your questions about eye health, vision, and related topics. Here are six questions to ask during your next eye exam appointment:

1. Do I need more frequent eye exams?

The standard is every 1-2 years, but some people should visit their eye doctor more frequently. Conditions that can affect the eyes, such as diabetes, need closer monitoring from an eye doctor who can recognize changes before you do. 

Your age also matters when it comes to the frequency of your eye exams. People over 65 should have annual eye exams because their eyes are aging. 

Ask Dr. Dao if your personal medical history, family history, or age suggests that you need more frequent eye exams and how often to get them. 

1. What future vision changes might I notice?

Some eye conditions can go on for years before they cause any change in your eyesight. Some vision changes aren’t linked with any eye conditions, but they can start to appear as you age. 

Ask Dr. Dao about what vision changes you can expect and how to recognize them. Based on your age and eye health history, she might tell you to be aware of:

• Floaters
• Blurry vision
• Trouble seeing in dim light
• Changes in how you see color
• Difficulty reading fine print

Dr. Dao can go into detail about why such changes might occur and whether you should book an appointment as soon as you notice them. 

1. How can I improve my eye health?

Even if your eyes are perfectly healthy, adopting eye health habits can help prevent certain eye conditions and vision changes. Healthy habits may also slow the progression of certain eye diseases. 

Dr. Dao can give you individualized recommendations for maintaining or improving your eye health outside the office. She might recommend:

• Avoiding smoking (or stopping)
• Getting regular exercise
• Modifying your diet
• Wearing sunglasses with UV protection
• Wearing protective eyewear during sports

Eye exams alone are a big part of preventive eye care, so you’ve already taken a step in the right direction. 

1. How do I take care of my contact lenses?

If you have contact lenses or are getting them for the first time, Dr. Dao can teach you how to care for them so they don’t tear, break, or go missing before their time is up. 

Switching from glasses to contact lenses can be a major transition, so learning the basics of contact lens care directly from your ophthalmologist can set you up for success. 

1. Should I try blue light lenses?

Blue light glasses filter blue light so less of it hits your eyes. They can be a game-changer for anyone who spends significant time in front of a screen. If your screen time is high, blue-light lenses can help prevent eye strain and fatigue. 

1. What do my test results mean?

A standard eye exam involves a series of tests to evaluate your eye muscle function, visual acuity, response to light, and the pressure in your eyes. Test results might not make much sense to you at face value, but your ophthalmologist can explain them in detail. 

Be sure to ask clarifying questions if something doesn’t make sense. Dr. Dao can tell you what each result means in the context of your eye health. 

Get in touch

Don’t wait to book your next eye exam or eye exams for the family. Call the Adult Strabismus Institute or schedule an appointment online today.