A comprehensive eye exam is the foundation of good vision health and can detect early signs of eye conditions before they impact your sight. At Kennedy Vision Health Center, our team of experienced optometrists provides thorough eye examinations designed to evaluate every aspect of your visual system. We believe that proactive eye care helps you maintain clear vision and healthy eyes for years to come.
Eye Exams
Understanding Eye Exams
An eye exam is much more than just reading an eye chart. It’s a comprehensive evaluation of your vision and eye health that can reveal important information about your overall wellness. Eye exams enable the early detection of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration—conditions that often develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. They can also uncover signs of systemic health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain neurological conditions before other symptoms appear.
Benefits of Eye Exams
Our Eye Exam Process
Your Personal Vision Consultation
Your eye exam begins with a thoughtful discussion about your vision concerns, health history, and everyday visual demands. Your dedicated optometrist listens to understand how you use your eyes, from screen time to outdoor activities to detailed work. This personalized conversation helps guide your exam and ensures we focus on what matters most to your vision.
Clear Explanation of your Eye Health
After completing your comprehensive assessment, we review all findings with you in plain, understandable language. We discuss any vision changes or eye health concerns, showing you digital images of your eyes when helpful. This transparent approach ensures you fully understand your current eye health status before we recommend any solutions.
Finding your Perfect Vision Solution
Based on your exam results, we present vision correction options that align with your lifestyle and preferences. If you need glasses, our optical team helps you select frames and lenses that complement your face, style, and visual requirements. For contact lens wearers, we ensure proper fit and comfort through personalized lens selection and hands-on training.
Practical Eye Care Guidance
We equip you with specific, practical advice to maintain your vision between appointments. This includes proper cleaning methods for glasses or contacts, screen use recommendations, and protective strategies for your eyes during various activities. These easy-to-follow tips help protect your vision investment and promote long-term eye health.
Ongoing Vision Monitoring
We create a personalized schedule for future eye health check-ups based on your age, risk factors, and current eye conditions. These regular appointments allow our optometrists to track subtle changes in your vision and eye health over time. Early detection through consistent monitoring helps preserve your vision clarity and prevents many common eye problems.
Why do I need an eye exam?
Your eyes, and as a result your vision, are constantly changing, no matter what age you are — regular eye exams help us monitor and keep up with those changes. And eye exams are an important preventative measure against eye diseases as well: advanced detection is one of the best tools to protect your vision from eye conditions before they have a chance to create symptoms.
Our doctors take their time to understand you, your lifestyle, and your overall eye health. That’s not just because we want to treat you like family: it’s also so we can personalize your exams, treatment, and eyewear to you.
Meet Our Caring Family of Eye Doctors in Plymouth
We want patients to feel welcome at our eye clinic in Plymouth — and to that end, we treat each and every one as if they’re members of our own family and personalize our care to fit their individual needs and lifestyle, starting with their first conversation with our patient ambassadors. No matter what a patient needs, from glaucoma care to specialty contact lenses, our compassionate eye doctors are here to provide a tailored solution for a comfortable patient experience and top-notch results.
Why Choose Us for Eye Exams
At Kennedy Vision Health Center, we combine clinical excellence with compassionate care to provide eye exams that go beyond the basics. Our investment in advanced diagnostic technology allows us to detect eye conditions earlier and with greater precision than standard exams. We have a team of professional optometrists who personally ensure that each patient get clear answers about your eye health and personal care from start to finish.
We understand that visiting an eye doctor can feel intimidating for some patients, which is why we’ve created a welcoming, patient-centered environment. Our team takes the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and ensure you feel informed and comfortable throughout your eye exam experience.
What are comprehensive eye exams?
Comprehensive eye exams take an in-depth look at your overall eye health. They’re key to maintaining sharp vision, as they help uncover eye diseases early on so we can start managing them long before they impact your eyesight. Our attentive doctors and Optometric Technicians utilize the latest technology to personalize your exam to your eye health history, ongoing concerns, and comfort.
Specialized Exams
Each of our patients’ eyes are unique; we believe their eye exam should be, too. Whether you just need a standard checkup, age-specific screenings, or have more immediate concerns, we have an eye exam for you and every member of your family.
Pediatric Eye Exams
Visiting some doctors can be intimidating for children, but you don’t have to worry about that at Kennedy Vision Health Center! Our warm, family-friendly approach to eye care and passion for helping children make pediatric eye exams fun for your youngest. With toys, movies, and a chest full of prizes, we make sure your kids are comfortable and engaged throughout their entire exam.
Contact Lens Exams
Our doctors walk you through the types of contact lenses we offer and talk through your preferences to find the right style for you. For standard soft contacts, specialty lenses to accommodate eye conditions, or anything in between, you can trust our team to find the perfect fit for your needs and lifestyle alike — and if you don’t like them after wearing a trial pair, we’ll find lenses you do love.
Emergency Eye Care
To have your eye emergencies treated by experts in the field, rather than generalists in an ER, we proudly offer emergency eye care for unexpected issues. Whether you’re experiencing a sudden loss or change in vision, have something stuck in your eye, or have sickly or irritated eyes, you can rely on us at all hours to address your concerns and keep your eyes safe thanks to our emergency on-call availability.
FAQs
How much is an eye exam?
Eye exam costs vary widely based on your location, the depth of testing performed, and whether specialized assessments are included. Many health and vision insurance plans offset these costs, typically covering one basic exam per year with just a small out-of-pocket expense. Without insurance, expect to pay between $50 and $250, with basic screenings at the lower end and comprehensive exams with advanced imaging technology at the higher end of the range.
How long does an eye exam take?
A typical eye exam takes about 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish, though this depends on your individual needs and vision history. First-time visits often run longer as your visual baseline is established and your health history documented. When your exam includes pupil dilation—recommended for a complete retinal assessment—plan for an additional 20-30 minutes while your pupils open fully, plus recovery time afterward for your vision to return to normal.
How often should you get an eye exam?
Most eye care professionals recommend that adults have comprehensive eye exams every 1-2 years, even if their vision appears to be perfectly clear. Children should have their first exam around 6 months, again at age 3, before starting school, and annually thereafter to monitor vision development. Individuals with existing eye conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease should benefit from yearly exams, as early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes for most eye conditions.
What is refraction in an eye exam?
Refraction testing determines your exact lens prescription by measuring how your eyes focus light. During this interactive process, you’ll look through a phoropter—a device with multiple lenses—and give feedback about which options provide the clearest vision as your eye doctor adjusts the settings. This precise measurement identifies vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, helping determine whether you need vision correction and exactly what strength and type would work best for your eyes.
How long do eyes stay dilated after an exam?
Your pupils typically remain dilated for 4-8 hours after an eye exam, though some people experience effects for up to 24 hours. The duration depends on several factors, including your eye color (lighter eyes often recover faster), the specific drops used, and your individual sensitivity to the medication. While dilated, you’ll notice increased light sensitivity and difficulty focusing on close objects—many people find sunglasses helpful and avoid driving, detailed work, or extended screen time until their vision returns to normal.
See Your World at Its Brightest!
Don’t wait until you notice vision problems to schedule your comprehensive eye exam. Preventive care is the most effective way to maintain healthy eyes and clear vision throughout your life. Our eye care team at Kennedy Vision Health Center is ready to provide the thorough, personalized care your eyes deserve. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for eye health tips, or call today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward optimal vision health.