Although many patients visit their eye doctor to simply obtain a new eyeglass prescription, your eye doctor is also concerned about the total health of your eye. A comprehensive eye exam, with dilation, is a crucial part of maintaining your whole-body wellness. While patients under 50 may wait several years between eye exams if they have no visual problems or risk factors, we recommend a dilated exam at least biannually for patients over age 50 and annually after age 65.

This section summarizes a few key points about eye exams: (a) the information that patients need to provide at the exam, (b) the purpose of dilation, and (c) how a comprehensive eye exam can provide your doctor with information about more than just your eyes.