How to Find an Eye Doctor and Prepare for an Eye Exam

Use the eye care section of preventblindness.org to find an eye doctor, learn which type of eye care provider fits your needs, and prepare for your appointment. The site groups this information under "Your Sight" with pages on finding an eye doctor, getting professional eye care, eye exam basics, exam frequency, and appointment preparation. The steps below follow that structure.

Step 1: Decide which type of eye care provider you need

Prevent Blindness explains that eye care providers differ in training and role. The site's page "Eye Care Providers: Who Are They and What Do They Do?" is the reference for matching a provider to your situation. In general terms:

• Ophthalmologist — a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat eye disease and perform surgery.
• Optometrist — provides vision care, eye exams, and corrective lenses.
• Optician — fills prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses rather than diagnosing or treating eye disease.

If you have a known condition such as glaucoma, diabetes-related eye concerns, or age-related macular degeneration, the site's condition-specific pages sit alongside the provider guidance and can help you frame questions for the appointment.

Step 2: Use the "Find an Eye Doctor" resource

The site includes a "Find an Eye Doctor" page as the starting point for locating a provider. Use it to identify options, then confirm details directly with the practice — the site does not publish appointment availability, insurance networks, or pricing for individual providers.

Step 3: Check how often you should have an exam

Prevent Blindness addresses exam frequency on its "How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?" page. Frequency depends on factors such as age, risk level, and existing conditions, so read that page rather than assuming a fixed schedule. The site also offers a "What's Your Risk of a Vision Problem?" resource and a page on signs of eye disease and vision problems in adults — useful for deciding whether to seek care sooner.

Step 4: Prepare for the appointment

The site's "Getting Ready for My Eye Doctor Appointment" page covers preparation. Practical preparation includes:

1. Bring your insurance information. The site has a dedicated section on understanding insurance benefits for eye care, including pages on Medicare, Medicaid/CHIP, ACA Marketplace plans, and private insurance. Check your coverage before the visit so you know what to expect.
2. List your medications and health history. Conditions like diabetes are covered on the site's "Diabetes and Your Eyes" page and are relevant to what the doctor will check.
3. Write down symptoms and questions. The "What is an Eye Exam?" page explains what an exam involves, which helps you know what will be checked and what to ask.
4. Arrange transportation if needed. If dilation is part of your exam, your vision may be blurry afterward — the site's "Growing Older, Driving Safely" page is relevant for older drivers planning around appointments.

Step 5: Know what happens during the exam

Read "What is an Eye Exam?" before your visit so the steps are familiar. The site also links to additional eye care resources and a glossary of eye and vision terms, which helps when the doctor uses technical language.

If cost or coverage is a barrier

Prevent Blindness maintains a "Vision Care Financial Assistance Information" page and an "Accessing Vision Care Without Coverage" page. These are the site's own resources for people without insurance or with limited benefits. Eligibility rules and program details are set by the programs themselves, so verify with each program.

Quick reference

The site also offers a free eNews subscription for updates on eye health resources.