I love coming here for eye care. Dr. Griffiths and staff are amazing. For 20+ years, her early detection, treatment, and gentle care have kept my vision perfect. The peaceful atmosphere is unmatched.
Ronald Beaudway
Routine Eye Exams
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
A little preparation before your visit helps us provide the most complete care. Knowing what to bring and what information to share makes your appointment more efficient and thorough.
Please bring your current glasses and contact lenses, even if you think the prescription is outdated. Seeing what you currently use helps us understand how your vision has changed. If you wear contacts, bring the box or packaging so we have the exact brand and prescription on file.
- Both your vision and medical insurance cards, if you carry separate plans
- A complete list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements you take
- Any previous eye records or test results from other providers
- A written list of questions or concerns you want to discuss
- Sunglasses to wear after the exam in case your pupils are dilated
Your overall health affects your eyes in ways that many people do not realize. Let us know if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, or any other chronic health problems. Family history is also important, especially if close relatives have had glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, early cataracts, or retinal detachment.
Tell us about any past eye injuries, surgeries, or treatments. We also want to know about childhood vision problems such as amblyopia or strabismus, even if they were treated years ago. This background helps us understand your current eye health and anticipate potential issues.
Many medications can affect your eyes or interact with drops we use during the exam. Please mention all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, eye drops, and herbal supplements. Steroids and alpha-1 blockers are particularly important to note. Some medications cause dry eyes, change pupil size, or increase the risk for certain eye conditions.
Tell us about any allergies, especially to medications or eye drops. If you have had a reaction to dilating drops in the past, we need to know so we can choose a different option or skip dilation when it is safe to do so. Please also let us know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so we can adjust the drops and testing we use.
You are welcome to wear your contact lenses to your appointment. We may ask you to remove them for certain tests so we can evaluate your eyes without the lenses in place. If you are having trouble with your current lenses or need a new fitting, wearing them allows us to see how they fit and move on your eyes.
Bring your glasses along even if you plan to wear contacts, in case we need them removed for an extended period of testing. If you wear rigid gas permeable or orthokeratology lenses and want an updated glasses prescription, ask us how far in advance you should leave your lenses out before the exam.
Vision Testing and Refraction
Measuring how clearly you see and finding the right lens prescription are central parts of every exam. These tests are comfortable and usually take just a few minutes each.
The eye chart test is usually the first step in an exam. We ask you to read letters or symbols at a standard distance, typically twenty feet, and note the smallest line you can read accurately. This measures your visual acuity, which tells us how clearly you see compared to normal vision.
We test each eye separately by covering one eye at a time, then test both eyes together. If you cannot read the largest letter on the chart, we use other methods such as counting fingers or detecting hand motion to assess your vision level.
Refraction is the process we use to find the exact lens prescription that gives you the clearest vision. You look through a device called a phoropter while we flip different lenses in front of your eyes and ask which option makes letters appear sharper. There are no wrong answers, and it is completely fine if some choices feel very close.
We use your responses to calculate the precise power needed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. We may also use automated equipment that estimates your prescription quickly, but we always confirm the result by having you look through actual lenses to ensure clarity and comfort.
Near vision testing becomes especially important after age forty, when most people begin experiencing presbyopia, a natural change that makes it harder to focus on close objects like phones, books, or computer screens. We use reading cards held at a normal reading distance to see how well you focus up close.
- Small print reading cards that simulate everyday tasks like reading labels or menus
- Testing with and without your current glasses to assess whether you need a reading prescription
- Checking intermediate vision for computer distances, which falls between near and distance range
- Determining whether bifocals, progressive lenses, separate reading glasses, or multifocal contacts best suit your needs
Astigmatism occurs when the front surface of your eye has an irregular curve, similar to the shape of a football rather than a basketball. This causes blurred or distorted vision at all distances. During refraction, we use specialized cylindrical lenses to detect and measure astigmatism, and we may ask you to look at a chart with radiating lines and tell us which appear darkest or clearest.
Many people have at least a small degree of astigmatism, and it often runs in families. If your astigmatism is significant enough to blur your vision or cause eyestrain, we include the correction in your glasses or contact lens prescription. If an irregular corneal shape such as keratoconus is suspected, we may also order corneal topography to map its surface in detail.
Eye Health Screening Tests
Beyond measuring your vision, we perform several tests to evaluate the health of your eyes and screen for conditions that often have no early warning signs. These tests are quick, generally comfortable, and provide essential information.
Checking the pressure inside your eye, called intraocular pressure, is a key part of glaucoma screening. We use an instrument called a tonometer to take this measurement. One common method uses a brief puff of air directed at your eye. Another uses a small probe that gently contacts your eye after we apply numbing drops. Goldmann applanation tonometry is considered the clinical standard, while air-puff and rebound devices are used as screening tools.
- Noncontact air-puff tonometry
- Rebound tonometry
- Goldmann applanation tonometry
Normal eye pressure generally falls between 10 and 21 millimeters of mercury, though this varies between individuals. Corneal thickness and biomechanics can also affect pressure readings, so we may measure corneal thickness (pachymetry) for a more accurate interpretation. Elevated pressure can damage the optic nerve over time and contribute to glaucoma, while unusually low pressure may signal other concerns.
Your peripheral vision is what you see to the sides while looking straight ahead. Visual field testing checks for blind spots or areas of vision loss that may signal glaucoma, retinal disease, or neurological conditions. During this test, you focus on a central point while small lights flash in your peripheral vision, and you press a button each time you see one.
We may use a simple screening method where our eye doctors hold up fingers in different areas of your visual field, or we may use a computerized device for more detailed mapping. Because vision loss from glaucoma and other conditions can progress gradually and silently, this test helps us detect changes before they become severe. Certain patterns of field loss may also prompt further neurological evaluation.
We shine a light in each eye to check how your pupils react, confirming they constrict properly and equally. Abnormal pupil responses can indicate nerve damage, eye disease, or neurological problems. We also check how your pupils respond when you shift focus from a distant object to a near one.
- Observing whether both pupils are equal in size and shape
- Testing the direct response when light enters each eye
- Checking the consensual response, where the opposite pupil also constricts
- Evaluating eye alignment by having you follow a moving target
- Looking for unusual eye movements or difficulty moving your eyes in all directions
Color vision testing screens for color blindness and certain eye or nerve conditions that affect how you perceive color. The most common test uses plates filled with colored dots arranged to form numbers or patterns. People with normal color vision read one number, while those with color deficiencies see a different number or none at all.
Most color vision problems are inherited and present from birth, affecting more men than women. Acquired color vision changes can occur with certain eye diseases, medications, or aging. While inherited color blindness has no cure, identifying it helps you adapt, and detecting acquired changes can alert us to other eye health issues worth monitoring.
The slit lamp is a specialized microscope that lets us examine the front structures of your eye in close detail. You rest your chin and forehead against the instrument while we shine a narrow beam of bright light into your eye, allowing us to inspect your eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens for signs of infection, injury, inflammation, or disease.
During this exam, we can detect corneal scratches, early cataracts, dry eye signs, and debris beneath contact lenses. We may use fluorescein dye to highlight surface damage, assess the tear film, or check for corneal ulcers. We can also gently lift the eyelid to look for hidden foreign bodies. The light may feel bright, but the test does not cause pain.
The Dilated Eye Exam
Dilating your pupils is a key part of a comprehensive eye exam. It allows us to see inside your eye and examine structures that are otherwise hidden from view. The sections below explain why we dilate, how it works, what we look for, and what to expect afterward.
Your pupil acts as a doorway into the eye. When it is small, we can only see a limited portion of the retina and optic nerve. Dilation opens that doorway wide so we can examine the entire retina, assess the optic nerve for signs of glaucoma, and inspect the blood vessels inside your eye for signs of disease.
Many serious conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal tears, and optic nerve damage, begin in the peripheral retina where they cannot be seen without dilation. Early detection through a dilated exam gives us the best opportunity to treat these conditions before vision is permanently affected.
We place one or two drops in each eye and ask you to wait approximately 15 to 30 minutes for your pupils to fully enlarge. The drops temporarily relax the muscles that control pupil size and may also relax the focusing muscles inside your eye. You may feel a brief stinging sensation when the drops first go in, which passes quickly.
- Drops typically keep pupils dilated for several hours to allow a thorough examination.
- Different medications work at slightly different speeds and last for varying lengths of time.
- Some practices offer a reversal drop to shorten dilation in selected adults; it is not appropriate for everyone and is avoided in narrow angles.
- People with narrow angles or a history of angle-closure glaucoma require special precautions, so please share your eye history with us.
Once your pupils are dilated, we use specialized lights and lenses to examine the inside of your eye. We check the retina for tears, detachments, bleeding, or signs of diabetic retinopathy and AMD. The optic nerve is carefully evaluated for glaucoma damage or swelling. We also inspect the blood vessels inside the eye, which can reveal changes associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other systemic health conditions.
The macula, the area responsible for your sharp central vision, receives special attention. We look for subtle early changes that might indicate AMD or macular swelling. The peripheral retina, where problems frequently begin without symptoms, is also fully examined. Identifying these issues early gives us the best chance of preserving your vision through timely treatment.
After dilation, your close-up vision will be blurry and bright light will feel more intense than usual because your pupils cannot constrict normally. These effects are expected and temporary for most people.
- Effects vary by eye color and the type of drops used; they may last up to 24 hours.
- Do not plan to drive if this is your first dilation or if you do not feel safe behind the wheel; consider arranging a ride.
- Wear sunglasses after your visit to reduce glare and light sensitivity.
- If numbing drops were used, do not insert contact lenses until the numbness has fully worn off and we have confirmed it is safe to do so.
- Call us or seek emergency care right away if you experience severe eye pain, halos around lights, nausea, headache, or sudden vision loss after dilation.
After Your Eye Exam
Once your exam is complete, we will review your results, explain any findings, provide your prescription if needed, and outline any recommended next steps. Understanding what happens after your visit helps you take full advantage of your care.
After all tests are complete, we will explain what we found and what it means for your eye health. If you need a new glasses or contact lens prescription, we will give you a written copy and explain how it differs from your previous one. Your prescription includes numbers for sphere, cylinder, and axis, which correct for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
For those over forty, your prescription may include an add power for reading, and we will discuss whether single vision lenses, bifocals, progressive lenses, or separate reading glasses best fit your lifestyle. If we performed additional testing such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, fundus photography, or corneal topography, we will explain what these results show and how they relate to your care. Please ask questions at any point. Understanding your eye health helps you make informed decisions.
If we detect an eye condition, we will explain what it is, how it may affect your vision, and what your treatment options are. Some conditions require prompt action, while others are best managed with careful monitoring over time.
- Urgent referral when we suspect a sight-threatening emergency such as retinal detachment, acute angle-closure glaucoma, central retinal artery occlusion, or giant cell arteritis
- Referral to a specialist if you need advanced care for conditions such as retinal disease or complex glaucoma
- Follow-up appointments to monitor your condition and adjust treatment as needed
- Additional imaging or testing to gather more information about your diagnosis
- Coordination with your primary care doctor when eye findings relate to conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Guidance on lifestyle and systemic risk factors, including UV protection, smoking cessation, blood pressure control, and blood sugar management
Before you leave, we will recommend when to return for your next exam. This depends on your age, overall eye health, and any conditions we are monitoring. Some patients return in a few months for a follow-up, while others with healthy eyes may comfortably wait one to two years.
Staying consistent with your recommended exam schedule is one of the most effective things you can do for your long-term vision health. Many sight-threatening conditions progress slowly and silently, and regular monitoring allows us to catch changes before they cause lasting damage.
Even with a future exam already scheduled, contact us right away if you develop sudden vision loss, a shower of new floaters, flashes of light, eye pain, or any eye injury. These symptoms can signal urgent problems such as retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or infection that require immediate attention.
You should also reach out if you experience persistent redness, discharge, light sensitivity, a curtain or shadow partially blocking your vision, sudden double vision, or any eye symptom that concerns you. We would always rather evaluate something minor early than have you wait when prompt care could protect your sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below address practical details and situations that often come up around routine eye exams, including how to handle specific circumstances before, during, and after your visit.
If your pupils are not dilated, you can drive normally after your exam. If dilation is part of your visit, your ability to drive safely depends on how blurry your close vision becomes and how much glare affects you. The safest plan is to arrange a ride or wait a few hours before driving if you know dilation will be performed. If this is your first time being dilated, we strongly recommend bringing a driver since you will not know in advance how much it affects your vision.
It is never too late to restart routine care. A gap in exams simply means that conditions which develop slowly, such as glaucoma or early cataracts, may have had more time to progress undetected. When you come in after a long break, we perform a thorough baseline evaluation to understand your current eye health and establish a monitoring schedule going forward. Early detection at any point is better than no detection, so do not let a long gap keep you from scheduling an appointment.
Coverage depends on your specific plan. Vision insurance often covers a routine exam once a year or once every two years, typically with a copay. Medical insurance may cover eye exams as preventive care or when a medical diagnosis such as diabetes is involved. The same visit may be billed differently depending on why you are being seen. We recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment to clarify your benefits, and our team can assist with verifying coverage when you schedule.
Widefield retinal photography and OCT imaging provide valuable information and are excellent tools for tracking changes over time, but they do not fully replace a dilated exam in most cases. A dilated exam allows direct, unobstructed viewing of the entire retina and optic nerve in ways that imaging cannot always replicate. Your eye doctor will advise whether dilation is still needed based on your individual history, risk factors, and what the imaging shows.
Yes, eye exams are generally safe. Please let us know before your appointment so we can select appropriate drops and avoid medications that are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Some vision changes that occur during pregnancy, such as shifting prescriptions, are often temporary and resolve after delivery or after nursing ends. Medically necessary care remains important and should not be postponed. We will adapt the exam to keep both you and your baby safe.
A vision screening, such as the letter chart test at a school or the DMV, is a quick check for obvious vision problems. It is not designed to detect eye disease. A comprehensive eye exam evaluates the full health of your eyes, including a dilated retinal exam, pressure testing, slit lamp evaluation, visual field testing, and more. Many serious conditions, including early glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal changes, would never be caught by a simple vision screening. A full exam is the standard of care for protecting your long-term eye health.
Schedule Your Routine Eye Exam at NewView Eye Center
Whether you are due for a routine checkup, experiencing new symptoms, or getting your eyes examined for the first time, our team is here to provide personalized, expert care at our offices throughout Northern Virginia. At NewView Eye Center, we welcome patients of all ages and take the time to ensure you fully understand your eye health and your options. We look forward to being your trusted partner in protecting your vision for years to come.
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