Schedule an annual eye exam with Cleveland Clinic

Annual Eye Exams

Appointments: 216.444.2020

Every day, your eyes help you take in the world around you. You can see bright colors. A great movie. And your favorite faces.

To keep your eyes healthy, it’s important to schedule an annual eye exam — especially if you wear glasses or contacts. But, even if you don’t, it’s still a good idea to get your eyes checked regularly — at any stage of life.

At Cleveland Clinic, we’re here to help keep your eyes healthy. When you come to see us each year for an eye exam, we take a look at how your eyes are doing. Think of it as a check-up for your eyes. Our experts are here to answer your questions, check for any possible problems with your vision and make sure your eyes are as healthy as possible.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Annual Eye Exams?

Skilled providers:

Our team of providers includes board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologists (eye specialists). We’re experts in diagnosing and treating all problems affecting your eyes and vision. Meet our team.

Collaborative care:

Some health issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure, can cause issues with your eyes over time. Our team works with experts throughout Cleveland Clinic to provide the eye care you need when you need it.

Patient-centered care:

When your eye health changes, we take the time to talk with you about how this can affect your life. We work with you to develop individualized treatment plans to protect and restore your vision whenever possible.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Getting Your Annual Eye Exam at Cleveland Clinic

There are many things in your life that you check on over time to make sure they’re working correctly. From regular car tune-ups to dental cleanings, these scheduled tasks are a part of your life. Your eyes also need regular attention to stay healthy. Cleveland Clinic eye experts (called ophthalmologists) take care of your eyes and vision with expertise and compassion. Following the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) guidelines, we recommend that most adults get a yearly comprehensive eye exam beginning at age 40.

If you wear contact lenses or eyeglasses, you should have an annual eye exam even if you’re younger than 40. You may also need to begin yearly exams before age 40 if you have certain conditions that put you at higher risk for vision changes or eye diseases, like:

Diabetes.
Family history of eye disease or common age-related eye problems.
High blood pressure.
Obesity.

Tests We Do During Annual Eye Exams at Cleveland Clinic

When you come to see us, several things will happen. Our specialists will talk with you about your medical history. We’ll ask you about any medications you take. We’ll also talk with you about any family history of eye disease.

Our providers will also want to check out the health of each part of your eye. There are a few structures inside your eye that we’ll take a look at, including:

Cornea.
Iris and pupil.
Optic nerve.
Retina.

During your appointment, we’ll also check the alignment of your eyes and how your eye muscles move (motility). Specialists examine your eyelids and the skin around your eyes. A comprehensive eye exam typically includes:

Eye dilation

Specialists insert drops in your eyes that cause your pupils to get wider (dilate). We use a bright light and microscope (slit lamp) to take a close look at the blood vessels, nerves and inner structure of your eye.

Eye pressure test

Our experts measure the level of pressure created by fluid inside your eye. We numb your eyes with drops before using a testing tool that measures this pressure (called tonometry) in each eye.

Visual acuity (eye chart) test

This is the test that probably pops into your mind when you think about having your eyes checked. We have you sit or stand 20 feet away while reading letters on an eye chart out loud. Our specialists use this test to determine how clearly you can see at a distance. Providers consider normal visual acuity to be 20/20 — meaning you can clearly see letters from 20 feet away.

Visual field test

Our experts use different techniques to conduct visual field testing. These tests determine how well you can see at the sides of your eye when looking straight ahead. This is called your peripheral vision.

Providers Who Perform Annual Eye Exams

Locations

Our ophthalmologists see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

Conditions We Diagnose with Annual Eye Exams at Cleveland Clinic

When we find something during testing, our experts are ready to help. Cleveland Clinic ophthalmology experts diagnose and treat a range of eye injuries and common eye diseases and vision problems. During annual eye exams, our specialists may diagnose:

There are some conditions that can affect your vision. We check how well you see to determine if corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses can help you see more clearly. Some of the conditions we’ll look for include:

Treating Eye Issues at Cleveland Clinic

If you’re diagnosed with an eye condition during your eye exam that needs treatment, our experts will work with you to find a treatment option that fits your needs. Your provider will talk to you about your specific condition and help guide you through the treatment process. If you need your vision corrected, we offer cataract surgery and LASIK eye surgery. We also collaborate with other Cleveland Clinic specialists to offer care for:

Taking the Next Step

It can be tough to find time for routine appointments. But this is one appointment you don’t want to skip. Taking the time to regularly check in on how your eyes are doing is an important part of your health. During your annual visit, your provider can address any changes to your vision and prevent any issues. At Cleveland Clinic, we’re here to help keep your eyes as healthy as possible.