Where do you get an eye exam??

[cashflyer]

When I think about what I am writing, this sounds like a stupid question to me - but I have to ask.

I have not had an eye exam since I was in the military, a long time ago.
I know I have some degradation of visual acuity, likely presbyopia due to age.
I need an eye exam, and some glasses.

Do I just go to some place like Lenscrafters?
Or do I need to go to an eye doctor?

[Gogar]

Either is fine.

Lenscrafters, etc. have an 'independent' doctor that can give you an exam even if you don't want to buy any glasses.

[Bill Douglas]

An eye doc is better, in my opinon. We have specsavers here. A big English outfit. They rush you through as if it was a McDonalds store getting a pair of glasses on you as soon as they can and the cash out of your wallet. I'd see someone good instead and get a great pair of glasses or two.

[gamin]

Don't laugh, Walmart for the exam. Zenni optical for the glasses (internet). I'm cheap.

[JavaBrewer]

Costco for contacts/glasses and optometrist.

Best best is to go to a full ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist though.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by gamin

Don't laugh, Walmart for the exam. Zenni optical for the glasses (internet). I'm cheap.

Not laughing here.

The opto at our Walmart is first rate.

There are so many pieces of tech that they use these days where the result is calculated essentially by us that it's really kind of hard for them to screw up a routine eye exam.

[Seahawk]

I go to the local 'Lens and Things' or 'Eyes r' Us'. Doesn't matter: Puff test, better, worse, where does the line intersect, follow my finger, keep your eye on the red dot, etc.

That may be because the eye doc there is as hot as vinyl seats in the summer.

"Can you read line 15?"

"E, R, D..ear Penthouse, I was...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I have a real optometrist, but I have horrible vision.

[GH85Carrera]

I figure it is only my EYES.

I go to a eye surgeon. A real licensed opthamologist. My vision is remarkable for my age. I have been lucky all my life with my vision.

[5String43]

I've worn eye glasses since I was 11 years old - I'm now 71. I Have seen ophthalmologists for exams and I never have seen any benefit to that, unless you have medical issues with your eyes. A good optometrist will do you a fine job. That said, I would not trust any of those at the discount joints. I'm sure some of them are fine, but I also suspect that for every really good one, there is a really bad one. Do a bit of homework, ask around, I suspect you can find somebody with a fine reputation who will take care of you just fine. As always, YRMV.

[Hugh R]

Do you have insurance? I have it through my work and I nicked the lenses badly on my latest pair, dropped them, my insurance covers replacements for six months from the Rx for $25. New pair for $25.

[cashflyer]

I had forgot about the puff test.
And the pupil dilation drops so they can see all the way to your brain.

I had been tempted to go to the discount places, but was not sure if they are thorough enough to say, "Oh, hey, Mr Cash... It looks like you may have early signs of [insert horrifying eye disease]." Or if it's just, "Here try these. Do you see better now? Yep? Ok, you're done."

Also, do any of the options (optometrist, ophthalmologist, Eye's R Us, etc) come with any "paperwork" in case my AME asks about my vision?

Also, can Paul give me directions to the place where he goes?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

And the pupil dilation drops so they can see all the way to your brain.

I remember reading somewhere that the optic nerve is so complex and specialized that it's actually classified as brain tissue.

FWIW.

[Chocaholic]

I have not had an eye exam since I was in the military, a long time ago.

I know I have some degradation of visual acuity"

Uh...aren't you a pilot?

[mattdavis11]

The last time I went (4 years ago) I saw both an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. The ophthalmologist checked everything out, but the optometrist fine tuned the prescription the best she could.

While my eyesight is not that bad, my eyes are terrible. Not only was I blessed with eyes the shape of a football, it also seems no one has a contact lens that will not rotate on my eyes. Hard soft, toric, etc... just wouldn't work. Just in this past year, a black blur in my right eye has shown up . It's only noticeable if I focus in on it. Sounds weird, but I rarely notice it. Its kind of like my case of tinnitus.

I haven't gone back, but when I do, it will be to see an ophthalmologist.

[sammyg2]

I go to the Southern California College of Optometry next to Cal state Fullerton. University Eye Center at Fullerton

The students (seniors, always girls, every time I've been there) do the actual exams, and then the doctor comes after them and check to see how they did.
So to summarize:
Attractive, friendly, professional college coeds looking deep into your eyes.

High quality exam, very thorough and complete, no rush through this thing like we've done it a gozillion times.
Afterward they have a large selection of glasses and lenses and junior students usually show you the choices if you want to buy glasses there.

I have VSP insurance, so it's all FREE!

So where's the downside?

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I figure it is only my EYES.

I go to a eye surgeon. A real licensed opthamologist. My vision is remarkable for my age. I have been lucky all my life with my vision.

Wait, so if I go to a better doctor to get my eyes checked my vision will get better???

j/k

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

The last time I went (4 years ago) I saw both an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. The ophthalmologist checked everything out, but the optometrist fine tuned the prescription the best she could.

While my eyesight is not that bad, my eyes are terrible. Not only was I blessed with eyes the shape of a football, it also seems no one has a contact lens that will not rotate on my eyes. Hard soft, toric, etc... just wouldn't work. Just in this past year, a black blur in my right eye has shown up . It's only noticeable if I focus in on it. Sounds weird, but I rarely notice it. Its kind of like my case of tinnitus.

I haven't gone back, but when I do, it will be to see an ophthalmologist.

Don't screw around with the black spot.

My mom had something similar.

Went to the doc, needed surgery, was told if she'd waited much longer she could have lost sight in that eye.

[Arizona 911]

I agree with stomach monkey. 5 years ago I had a half moon shadow with a sliver of light in my left eye. Every time I blinked it was like a lightning flash. I went in to get it checked out and the doctor asked how quickly I could get to the hospital across town. I asked why and he said I needed surgery right now or I would go blind in that eye. The surgery wasn't bad, but the recovery was pure hell. Turned out I had a detached retina. Don't take chances with your eyes. If you notice a change, get it checked out right away.

[Baz]

I think you can opt out of the eyes dilated part of the exam. Especially if you need to drive when you leave.

My eye doc retired so I went to Wal Mart and the doc there had been working in this area for years in private practice and one day decided to work for a corporation instead. Your results may vary but he did great for me.