Why Preparing for Your Eye Test Matters
Many people only book an appointment with an optometrist when their vision becomes blurry, their eyes feel strained, or something just doesn’t feel right. While those are important reasons to get checked, eye tests are about much more than getting new glasses.
A routine eye test looks at the overall health of your eyes and can help spot early changes before they start affecting your day-to-day life. Knowing what to expect — and what to ask — can make the experience feel far less intimidating and much more valuable.
Asking the right questions helps you understand your eye health, not just your prescription. It gives you clarity about how your eyes are functioning, what risks to be aware of, and how to protect your vision in the long term. Being prepared also means you’re less likely to feel rushed or overwhelmed during your appointment.
Regular eye care plays an important role in overall health, not just vision. Bloom explains this in more detail in its guide on why it’s important to take care of your eyes, which highlights how eye tests support early detection and long-term wellbeing.
What Does an Optometrist Actually Check?
An eye test involves much more than reading letters off a chart. Optometrists check several aspects of your vision and eye health to make sure your eyes are working as they should.
They assess your vision clarity and focus to see how well you can see up close, at a distance, and in different lighting. This helps determine whether you need glasses or if your current prescription still suits your needs.
Your optometrist also checks how your eye muscles move and work together. This is important for comfortable vision, especially when reading, driving, or spending long hours on screens. Poor coordination can lead to headaches, eye strain, or fatigue.
Another key part of the exam is measuring eye pressure and overall eye health. This helps identify potential issues before symptoms appear. During this process, optometrists can detect early signs of conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, which often develop slowly and without obvious warning signs.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time for an eye test, Bloom explains the symptoms and situations that mean you should book an appointment in its guide on when to see an optometrist, helping you stay proactive about your eye health.
Questions to Ask Your Optometrist About Your Vision
Your eye test is the perfect opportunity to ask questions about how well your vision is working in your everyday life. These simple, practical questions can help you get clear answers and make the most of your appointment:
- Has my vision changed since my last test?
Even small changes can affect comfort and clarity, especially if you haven’t noticed them yet. - Do I need glasses all the time or only for certain activities?
This is especially useful if you struggle with reading, screen use, or night driving. - Is my vision normal for my age?
Understanding what’s typical — and what’s not — can be reassuring and help set realistic expectations. - Are there early signs of eye strain or fatigue?
Eye strain is common and often linked to daily habits rather than eye disease.
Tip:
Be sure to tell your optometrist how much time you spend on screens, whether you drive regularly (especially at night), and what your work or study routine looks like. These details help them give advice and recommendations that suit your lifestyle, not just your eyesight.
Questions to Ask About Eye Health (Not Just Eyesight)
While clear vision is important, your eye test is also about checking the overall health of your eyes, not just whether you need glasses. Asking the right questions can help you understand what’s happening behind the scenes and catch potential issues early.
Consider asking your optometrist:
- Are my eyes healthy overall?
This gives you a clear picture of whether your eyes are functioning well beyond how clearly you can see. - Do you see any early signs of eye disease?
Many eye conditions develop slowly and without noticeable symptoms at first. - How often should I have my eyes tested?
The answer can vary depending on your age, lifestyle, and any existing health risks. - Could my general health affect my eyes?
Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune disorders can impact eye health over time.
Why this matters:
Eye exams can sometimes pick up early signs of broader health issues, making regular eye tests an important part of looking after your overall wellbeing — not just your vision.
Questions to Ask If You Wear Glasses or Contact Lenses
If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, your eye test is a good opportunity to check whether what you’re using still suits your eyes and your lifestyle. Vision needs can change gradually, so even if things feel “fine”, it’s worth asking a few key questions.
You may want to ask your optometrist:
- Is my prescription still correct?
Small changes can make a big difference to comfort, focus, and reducing eye strain. - Are there lens options better suited to my lifestyle?
Different lenses can help with driving, reading, computer work, or switching between tasks throughout the day. - Should I consider blue-light lenses for screen use?
If you spend long hours on a phone, laptop, or tablet, these lenses may help reduce digital eye strain. - Are contact lenses safe for my eyes long term?
This is especially important if you wear contacts daily or for extended periods.
Helpful reminder:
If you use contact lenses, ask about proper cleaning, wear time, and replacement schedules. Following the right routine helps keep your eyes healthy and lowers the risk of irritation or infection.
Questions to Ask About Eye Care and Prevention
Looking after your eyes isn’t only about correcting vision — it’s also about preventing problems before they start. Your optometrist can give practical advice based on your lifestyle, environment, and daily habits.
Helpful questions to ask include:
- How can I protect my eyes from sun damage?
Long-term sun exposure can affect eye health, so it’s important to know when sunglasses or extra protection are needed. - Are my eyes at risk because of my work or hobbies?
Jobs involving screens, dust, chemicals, or fine detail — as well as hobbies like cycling or DIY — can place extra strain on your eyes. - What habits can improve or protect my vision?
Simple changes, such as taking screen breaks or adjusting lighting, can make a real difference.
Preventative eye care is especially important in South Africa’s sunny climate. Bloom shares practical, easy-to-follow advice on protecting your eyes during hot, sunny months in its summer eye health guide, which covers everyday steps you can take to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.
What to Tell Your Optometrist Before They Even Ask
An eye test works best when it’s a two-way conversation. The more your optometrist knows about your health and lifestyle, the better they can assess your eyes and give advice that’s right for you.
Before or during your appointment, make sure to mention:
- Any family history of eye problems, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration
- Headaches, blurred vision, eye pain, or discomfort, even if they come and go
- Chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, which can affect eye health
- Medication you’re taking, as some medicines can impact your eyes or vision
It’s easy to assume these details aren’t relevant, but they often are. Sharing this information helps your optometrist build a fuller picture of your eye health and spot potential issues earlier. There’s no such thing as too much information when it comes to protecting your vision.
How Often Should You See an Optometrist?
How often you should have your eyes tested depends on your age, health, and lifestyle. For most people, regular check-ups help catch changes early and keep vision comfortable.
As a general guide:
- Adults should see an optometrist every one to two years, even if their vision feels fine. Small changes can happen gradually and are often picked up during routine tests.
- Children should have their eyes tested as advised by an eye care professional, especially as their vision develops and schoolwork increases.
- More frequent checks may be needed if you have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of eye disease, or if you experience ongoing eye strain or headaches.
Bloom explains the recommended timing for eye tests and the warning signs to watch for in its guide on when to see an optometrist, helping you decide when it’s time to book an appointment.
How Health Cover Helps Make Eye Care Easier
Eye care isn’t only about fixing problems once they appear — regular eye tests are a form of preventative healthcare. They help pick up small changes early, often before they start affecting your vision or daily life.
Without health cover, people sometimes delay routine eye tests because of the cost, waiting until symptoms become uncomfortable or disruptive. Unfortunately, this can mean missing early signs of eye strain or eye health issues that are easier to manage when caught early.
Having health cover makes it easier to stay proactive about your eye health. It removes the financial barrier to regular optometry visits, encouraging check-ups as part of your normal healthcare routine — not just when something feels wrong.
Optometry Benefits with Health Cover from Bloom
Bloom offers health cover options that include optometry benefits, making it easier to look after your eyes as part of your everyday healthcare — not just when there’s an emergency. These benefits help support routine eye tests and related optometry care, encouraging regular check-ups rather than last-minute visits when something feels wrong.
By supporting preventative eye care, Bloom helps members focus on long-term eye health, from early detection to ongoing vision support. This approach aligns with Bloom’s commitment to accessible, affordable healthcare that fits real life.
You can view Bloom’s optometry benefits and see how eye care is supported as part of affordable health cover here, with a clear breakdown of what’s included and how it works.
Quick Checklist: Questions to Take to Your Appointment
Heading to the optometrist? Taking a short list of questions can help you feel more confident and make the most of your appointment.
Save or screenshot this checklist to take with you:
- Has my vision changed?
- Are my eyes healthy?
- Do I need glasses or lens updates?
- How can I protect my eyes daily?
- When should my next eye test be?
A few prepared questions can turn a routine eye test into a more informative and reassuring experience.
Final Reassurance: Eye Care Is Part of Self-Care
Eye tests don’t have to be intimidating or confusing. They’re a simple, proactive way to look after your health and protect your quality of life.
Asking questions helps you take control of your eye health, understand what’s happening, and make informed choices. Regular eye care supports comfort, confidence, and clear vision at every age.
Being informed helps you make better health choices. Having cover that supports routine eye care makes it easier to stay proactive.
