If your last eye exam took 12 minutes and finished with someone handing you a prescription, you didn’t get a comprehensive eye exam. A real exam evaluates the structure and health of your eye, screens for diseases that have no early symptoms, and gives you a conversation about your lifestyle, screen habits, and goals. Here’s what a comprehensive eye exam at Glimpse actually looks like.
Why “comprehensive” matters.
Many serious eye conditions — glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears — have no symptoms in the early stages. By the time you notice vision loss, damage is often already permanent. The point of a comprehensive exam is to catch these conditions years before they affect your vision.
What we evaluate.
1. Refraction (your prescription).
The familiar “1 or 2” portion of the exam. We measure how light focuses on your retina to determine the correct prescription for distance, intermediate, and near vision.
2. Binocular vision testing.
How your two eyes work together. Subtle alignment issues can drive headaches, eye strain, and reading fatigue — even with a “perfect” prescription. We screen with Neurolens technology when warranted.
3. Intraocular pressure (no-puff tonometry).
We measure the pressure inside your eye — the primary risk factor for glaucoma. We use no-puff tonometry: gentle, accurate, no air puff in the eye.
4. Retinal imaging (Optomap or dilation).
A high-resolution photo of the back of your eye — the retina, optic nerve, and macula. We can detect early signs of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and other conditions before they affect your vision.
5. Visual field testing.
Measures your peripheral vision. Subtle losses are early signs of glaucoma. We test this annually for at-risk patients.
6. Anterior segment evaluation.
Slit-lamp examination of the cornea, iris, lens, and conjunctiva. Catches cataract development, dry eye signs, blepharitis, allergies, and other anterior segment conditions.
7. Lifestyle conversation.
This is the part most exams skip. We talk about screen time, sleep, sun exposure, diet, contact lens use, occupational hazards, and family history — all of which affect long-term eye health.
What makes our exam different.
Three things:
- Time. Our exams typically run 45-60 minutes. No 12-minute exam factory.
- Integrative approach. Dr. Carrie is certified in integrative nutrition. We treat eye health as part of whole-body wellness, including dry eye, hormonal cycles, gut health, and screen behavior.
- Specialty access. If anything turns up during your exam — dry eye signs, suspect retina, alignment issues, signs of cataract or AMD — we have the specialty equipment and clinical training to evaluate further the same day or at a focused follow-up.
How often should you come in?
- Adults under 40 with no concerns: Every 2 years
- Adults 40+: Annually
- Adults 60+: Annually, with more thorough retinal evaluation
- Diabetic patients: Annually, minimum — sometimes every 6 months
- Contact lens wearers: Annually for prescription updates and corneal health
- Children: First exam at age 6 months (free through InfantSEE), age 3, before kindergarten, then every 1-2 years
- Anyone with new symptoms: Immediately
What to bring.
- Your current glasses
- Your contact lens prescription (or boxes) if you wear contacts
- A list of medications you take
- Your insurance card
- Any recent eye exam records from another doctor if applicable
Read about our Comprehensive Eye Exam →
Frequently asked questions.
How much does an eye exam cost?
Most vision plans cover routine eye exams. Without insurance, our comprehensive exam ranges from $185-$250 depending on imaging and specialty testing performed.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept VSP, EyeMed, BCBS, MetLife, Cigna, Medicare, and many other plans. Call to confirm coverage for your specific plan.
Will my pupils be dilated?
We use Optomap retinal imaging in most exams — no dilation needed. We may dilate for specific clinical situations or first-time patients.
Can my kids be seen at Glimpse?
Yes — we do pediatric exams from age 3+. Free InfantSEE exams are available for babies 6-12 months old.