At a first glance, “vision screening” and “eye exam” sound like they might be the exact same thing. But the reality is, they are quite different and serve different purposes to help you maintain healthy vision throughout your life. 

Also commonly referred to as an “eye test,” vision screenings are brief examinations that look for potential vision problems and disorders. Often, they are performed by a primary care provider and do not require vision insurance. As its name suggests, vision screenings are simply that—screenings. They are not used to diagnose or treat vision problems, just merely detect them.