Screening the Screener

Our eyes are truly amazing pieces of hardware. Two separate eyeballs make precisely synchronised movements thousands of times a day, while tiny adjustments in the shape of our lens keep the world in perfect focus. Eyes are fully developed by age 7, can last 100 years and require roughly 20 blinks a minute to keep them clean. So routine eye exams are really important. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for maintaining good vision and, when possible, preventing permanent vision loss.

If you’ve never scheduled an exam, or have moved to a new area, ask these four questions before making an appointment:

1. How long is the typical appointment? This question gives you a baseline for comparison. Typically a properly done eye appointment should take between 15 and 30 minutes; longer with ophthalmologists or if you checking for a specific ocular issue beyond myopia (near-sightedness) or hyperopia (far sightedness). If the answer is less than 15 minutes, look elsewhere. A proper eye exam needs a full 15 minutes to check for everything and to confirm prescription accuracy.

2. What is your policy on walk-in eye exams? You want to get as much information as possible here. If you do need a walk-in appointment, ask if the doctor is busy or free before you agree to be seen. Remember: if the doctor is cutting short a pre-arranged appointment to see you, odds are both of you will receive less time with the doctor than you need for an accurate exam.

3. Do you ever double-book appointments? Any optical store may not be honest with you on this subject, but asking will probably cost you nothing. If you do get a “yes” to it, ask for more information-when and how often.

4. What guarantees do you offer regarding eye wear accuracy? In case there is a mistake, know the procedure and any additional costs to you to fix a problem before you schedule your appointment.

Those are the basics. We think you should also ask this question:

5. Does your clinic use the M&S Smart System computerized vision testing system?

The M&S Smart System^® is an easy-to-use, reliable, and efficient computerized vision testing system. It gives the eye care professional access to a variety of precise eye charts and tests that are fully customizable to meet the needs of the patient. Clinics that use our
technology are forward-thinking and dedicated to keeping up with advancements in vision testing.

Have a thought about this article? Contact Us and let us know.