I am one of those lucky rare people who doesn't wear glasses or contacts and has 20/20 vision. However, like everyone, I'm unlucky enough to feel my eyes straining more with age. I decided to go to Blink for a full eye exam including pupil dilation. Total cost for the exam, roughly about $130.
My experience was entirely pleasant from my initial phone call where I confided to the receptionist I've never had the pupil dilation drops, to when I stepped in through the doors. The place is open and inviting, colorful and bright, and is a very balanced blend of retail and doctor's office. While they clearly sell frames and sunglasses as well as contact solutions, the way the store display is set up, you do not feel at all that there is any marketing or promotion being shoved down your throat.
The waiting area was simple and I was given a quick form to fill out about my history and concerns. The doctor was young and dressed nicely but not very "doctorly", whatever that means. Actually, I quite liked his outfit. He told me I could call him Brandon, if I like. He was super relaxed and casual and joked around with me to keep me at ease as I wasn't too thrilled about this dilation test I would undergo.
His assistant ran through all the basic instrumental tests with me, and then the doctor took me to the back room to complete the more in-depth exam. I didn't feel he rushed through my eye exam at all. Then he dilated my pupils and I waited ten minutes to complete the final tests.
At the end of it, the doctor went through my results with me and was very straight forward and honest. I truly appreciated that he was serving as a doctor first, rather than the owner/operator of a retail store. He told me I do not need glasses right now and could likely put it off a few more years. My vision was still 20/20 despite the strain I felt and some challenges during the tests. He assured me my vision was still better than average and getting glasses at this point wouldn't boost my vision enough to warrant the expense or burden.
I was very pleased with my experience at Blink. Instead of selling me a prescription, he suggested some strain reducing tips to relax and rest my eyes which I can do for free. :) read more