ADULT EYE EXAMS IN FARGO, ND
Most adults haven't had a real eye exam in years. A vision screening at the DMV doesn't count, and "I can still see fine" misses the point — many of the most serious eye diseases develop silently, with no symptoms until permanent damage is done. A comprehensive adult eye exam at Lumen Vision in Fargo takes 30 to 60 minutes and gives you a full picture of your eye health, not just your prescription.
We see adults of every age, from college students to seniors, and accept most medical and vision insurance plans. Many of our adult patients first found us because they were bringing their kids in — once they saw the difference in care, they stopped going elsewhere.
How often should adults get an eye exam?
-
Ages 18 – 39: Every two years if you have no symptoms or risk factors.
Ages 40 – 64: Every two years, transitioning to annual as you approach 60.
Ages 65+: Annually.
Annually at any age if you: Wear glasses or contact lenses, have diabetes or another systemic condition that affects the eyes, have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, work long hours on screens, or notice any changes in your vision.
-
Refraction: Precise measurement of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and reading prescription needs.
Eye health evaluation: A close look at the front and back of each eye for signs of disease, injury, or developmental changes.
Glaucoma screening: Eye pressure measurement and optic nerve evaluation to catch glaucoma early, before vision is lost permanently.
Retinal imaging (Optomap): An ultra-wide view of the retina that catches macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and other conditions — usually without dilation.
Dry eye assessment: For the burning, watering, or grittiness most adults attribute to "screen time" but is often a treatable medical condition.
Binocular vision check: How well your two eyes work together — relevant for headaches, eye strain, and double vision. If you’re symptomatic, we’ll do this for free as part of your exam. Just ask!
-
Sudden flashes, floaters, or a "curtain" coming across your vision
Sudden blurriness, double vision, or vision loss in one eye
Eye pain, redness, or sensitivity to light
Frequent headaches, especially after screen work
Eyes that feel dry, burn, water excessively, or feel gritty
Difficulty seeing at night or driving in the dark
Trouble focusing between near and far
Sudden changes in vision can be a medical emergency. If something has changed quickly, call us at (701) 404-9096 — we hold time in our schedule for urgent eye issues.
-
Before the visit: Fill out our intake form online. Bring your current glasses, contact lens information, a list of medications, and your insurance card.
During the exam: Plan for 30 to 60 minutes. Most exams don't require dilation thanks to Optomap retinal imaging, though we may recommend it in certain situations.
After the exam: We'll walk you through what we found, what it means, and what we recommend. If you need glasses or contacts, our optical team will help you find frames you actually want to wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The American Optometric Association recommends adults ages 18 to 64 have a comprehensive eye exam every two years, and adults over 65 have one annually. Annual exams are also recommended for anyone who wears glasses or contact lenses, has diabetes or another systemic condition affecting the eyes, or has a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration.
-
A vision screening — like the one at the DMV or a workplace health fair — only checks how clearly you can see. A comprehensive eye exam evaluates eye health, screens for glaucoma and other diseases, checks the retina and optic nerve, measures eye pressure, and assesses how your eyes work together. Many serious eye diseases are silent in their early stages and can only be caught by a full exam.
-
Not necessarily. We use Optomap retinal imaging, which captures an ultra-wide view of the retina without dilation in most cases. We may still recommend dilation in specific situations — new symptoms, diabetic eye exams, or when a closer look at the peripheral retina is warranted.
-
A typical comprehensive adult eye exam takes 30 to 60 minutes. Plan for slightly longer if it's your first visit, if dilation is needed, or if a contact lens fitting is part of the appointment.
-
Often, yes. Medical insurance typically covers eye exams when there's a medical reason for the visit — dry eye, diabetes, headaches, sudden vision changes, or an eye injury. Routine vision exams for glasses or contacts are usually covered by vision insurance. We can verify which applies, typically within a few minutes.
-
Yes. Many serious eye diseases — glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy — develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular eye exams catch them when treatment is most effective. Eye exams also screen for systemic health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Schedule your adult eye exam in Fargo.
Book online in about 60 seconds, or call (701) 404-9096. Our office is at 5120 Prosperity Way South, Suite 114, Fargo, ND 58104. We see adult patients Monday through Friday and can usually verify your insurance coverage before you book.
