A full eye check-up, not just a glasses test
A glasses test tells you your power. A full eye check-up also looks for cataract, glaucoma, diabetic changes and dry eye, which can all be present while you still read the chart perfectly. It takes longer, and it is worth it.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananyabrata Das, MBBS, DOUpdated 22 October 2026
What a full check-up includes
- Vision for distance and near, with and without your glasses
- Refraction: your exact spectacle power
- Eye pressure, to screen for glaucoma
- Slit-lamp exam of the lids, cornea, lens and front of the eye
- Dilated retina exam: the optic nerve, macula and retinal vessels
- Extra tests when needed: OCT, visual field, corneal topography
Spectacles
Your prescription is written by the doctor or optometrist after refraction. Frames and lenses are available at Micro Point Optical, Gorabazar, Dum Dum, or you can take the prescription anywhere you like. For reading glasses after 40, progressives, and computer glasses, ask which lens design fits how you actually use your eyes.
Contact lenses
Contact lenses need a proper fitting and a check of the cornea and tear film. Daily disposables are the safest choice for most people.
- Never sleep, shower or swim in lenses unless specifically prescribed
- Never store or rinse lenses in tap water
- Replace the case every month
- Red, painful eye while wearing lenses: take them out and come in the same day
How often
| Who | How often |
|---|---|
| Children | By 3–4 years, before school, then yearly |
| Adults under 40 | Every 1–2 years |
| Over 40 | Every year (glaucoma and cataract screening) |
| Diabetes | Every year, dilated |
Questions
Can I get my eyes checked without dilation?
A power check can be done without it, but the retina and optic nerve can't be properly examined. Dilation is recommended at least once, and regularly after 40 or with diabetes.
Do I need an appointment for an eye test?
It's best to call ahead so you don't wait long, especially in the evenings and on Saturdays.