Consultation · Eye care
Eye care consultation & comprehensive eye examination
An eye care consultation is an appointment with an ophthalmologist about your vision and eye health. It usually includes a comprehensive eye examination: a vision check, an eye-pressure measurement, and an examination of the front and back of each eye. Allow 45 to 90 minutes if dilating drops are used.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
At a glance
The essentials.
- Practice
- Eye care
- Type
- Consultation or procedure
- Typical time
- 45 to 90 minutes if dilating drops are used
The full guide
What it is
An eye care consultation is an appointment with an ophthalmologist, a doctor who diagnoses and treats eye conditions. It usually includes a comprehensive eye examination, which checks how well you see and looks at the health of each eye, from the surface at the front to the retina at the back.
Why an ophthalmologist may recommend it
A consultation is the starting point for most eye care. You may arrange one for blurred vision, discomfort, or another symptom, or be referred by another doctor. Routine examinations are also part of care for people with diabetes and for those with a family history of glaucoma. Whether further tests are needed depends on the findings; the ophthalmologist decides at the examination.
How to prepare
Bring your current glasses or contact lenses, any previous prescriptions or eye reports, and a list of your medicines with doses. Dilating drops are often used and blur near vision for a few hours, so plan for someone else to drive you home.
Safety and what you may feel
A comprehensive eye examination is low-risk. The drops sting for a moment when they go in. The examination gives a picture of the eye on the day; some conditions need repeat visits or specific extra tests before a diagnosis is settled. If your symptoms change before the appointment, tell the clinic. This website is not for emergencies; for sudden loss of vision, call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Results and follow-up
The ophthalmologist explains the findings at the same visit and arranges any further tests, such as a visual field test or a retinal scan, when they are needed. You will be told what follow-up applies to you and when to return.
Sources
American Academy of Ophthalmology — Eye exams 101
Before you come
What to bring and how to prepare
A short checklist to run through before your appointment. If anything here is unclear, call the clinic and ask.
- Bring your current glasses or contact lenses, any previous prescriptions or eye reports, and a list of your medicines with doses.
- Dilating drops are often used and blur near vision for a few hours, so plan for someone else to drive you home.
What happens
On the day.
What to expect from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.
before
Getting ready
your vision is measured with a letter chart, with and without your glasses. The examiner may also measure your glasses power.
during
During the visit
the ophthalmologist examines each eye with a slit lamp, an examination microscope with a bright light. Eye pressure is measured by tonometry, as a brief puff of air or a light touch on the numbed surface of the eye. Drops that widen the pupil are often used so the retina can be examined.
after
Afterwards
if drops were used, near vision stays blurred and eyes stay light-sensitive for a few hours. There is no other recovery time.
Before your appointment
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about preparation, timing and what happens at the clinic.
How long does a comprehensive eye examination take?
Allow 45 to 90 minutes. Dilating drops take about 20 minutes to work, and the examination itself takes place after that.
Can I drive home afterwards?
If dilating drops are used, near vision is blurred and the eyes are light-sensitive for a few hours, so plan for someone else to drive you home.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book an eye care consultation directly. If you have a referral letter or previous reports, bring them, as they help the assessment.
Where this fits
Related care and consulting times.
The conditions this is used alongside, and when the consultant sees patients at the clinic.
Consultation hours
- Eye care
- Mon–Sat, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
Appointments
Plan your visit.
Mon–Sat, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM.