Why do so many people skip their annual eye exam? Maybe because they don't know what to expect. We're here to shed a little light on the process so you can see there's nothing to worry about.

These are the most commonly asked questions about an eye exam.

"Why is my personal background important?"
An Independent Doctor of Optometry will review any current vision problems, your general health, even working environment to better tailor the exam to your needs.

"What can I expect from the overall exam?"
Not only will your exam measure overall vision - how well you see (both near and far), color vision, depth perception - it looks for any early indicators of possible eye disorders, such as cataracts, retinal problems and glaucoma. Ultimately, the elements of your exam will be determined by the doctor.

"Why does the doctor keep asking, 'Better now?'"
This is just one of the steps taken to establish your prescription. The doctor will compare a series of lenses to determine which is clearer for you. As the differences become less noticeable, the doctor will be closer to finalizing your prescription. So the fact that you may be having a hard time choosing at the end is actually a good thing.

"What's that puff of air for?"
It measures the fluid pressure in your eyes - high pressure may be an indicator of glaucoma.

"Why take my blood pressure?"
High blood pressure can affect the blood vessels in your eyes which can lead to vision problems.

"Why am I following a light?"
It's used to determine how your pupils and eye muscles react, and is important in assessing neurological function.

"Will my pupils be dilated?"
Not always. The doctor will make this decision during your exam. In any case, this painless process is like opening a door so the doctor can fully exam the retina. Dilation can also help detect diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and macular degeneration.