Ophthalmology• Updated 21 October 2026
Eye Test (Vision and Eye Examination)
A check of how well you see and of the health of your eyes.
Results: Immediately
Quick Summary
Primary Purpose
To check vision, prescribe glasses and look for eye diseases like cataract, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.
What It Measures
Visual acuity, refraction, eye pressure and the back of the eye.
Preparation
Bring your glasses; drops to widen pupils may blur vision for a few hours.
Overview
Adults over 40 and people with diabetes should have regular eye checks.
Dilating drops let the doctor see the retina.
What It Measures
Vision
Reading letters on a chart.
Eye health
Lens, pressure and retina.
How It's Performed
- 01
Vision check
Read letters at a distance and close up.
- 02
Examination
Slit lamp and dilating drops.
- 03
Afterwards
Don't drive until blurring settles.
Sources and further reading
Last updated 21 October 2026. For more detail, see these trusted health organisations.
- Vision Screening(opens in a new tab) · MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine