How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
You get regular physical check-ups and dental exams, but how often should you get an eye exam? The answer depends on several factors including whether you wear glasses, how old you are, and if you have any other medical conditions.
Why Is an Annual Eye Exam Important?
Regular eye exams not only give your eye doctor the chance to examine your eyes and vision, they also can assess your overall health and detect other health issues, including Diabetes, Cancer, Macular degeneration, Glaucoma, and Cataracts. You may also need to see your eye doctor if you have eye injuries or are suffering from vision symptoms. An eye exam can detect these conditions early, allowing for early intervention and treatment, which can prevent or delay vision loss. If you notice significant changes to your vision or eyes, you should speak to your optometrist right away to help decrease the possibility of long-term damage. The professionals at Wise Eyes Optical work closely with our patients to help them stay on top of their eye health. Schedule your next eye exam today by calling us at (717) 242-1915.
Eye Exams for Everyone
The frequency of your eye exams will generally depend upon your age. Your vision changes at different rates during your lifetime and even if you have perfect eyesight now, it is still important to have regular eye exams, because it may not be perfect forever. Don’t wait until something is wrong to see an eye doctor. In many cases, preventing eye conditions may be easier than treating them. There are different recommendations for exams based on age, family, and personal medical history, whether you currently wear glasses or contacts, and other risk factors.
Ages 6 months – 20 years
Infants and toddlers can have their first eye exam as early as six months of age. It is a good idea to have your child’s eyes evaluated again before they enter kindergarten or first grade. Children between the ages of three and 18 should have an eye exam every one to two years unless you notice signs of potential eye strain. If your child wears glasses, they will need an exam every six months to one year to verify the prescription is still accurate.
• Signs of eye strain or vision loss in children include:
• Complaints of headaches or fatigue.
• Frequent blinking or rubbing of the eyes.
• Winking one eye for better focus.
• Tilting the head to the side.
• Holding reading materials close-up to (or far away from) the face.
• Complaints about double vision.
• An eye that strays to one side or the other.
• Problems at school (seeing what is written on the board or text and images on a screen, etc.)
Ages 20 – 39
Most adults aged 20 to 39 should have a complete eye exam every two to three years. At this age, you are less likely to experience sudden or more rapid vision loss. You should have your eyes checked more often if you:
• Wear glasses or contacts.
• Are taking medications that are known to cause vision loss or side effects.
• Have a personal or family history of eye disease.
• Have diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Have had eye surgery or a previous eye injury.
• Are living with a chronic health condition that can affect the eyes.
• Are working a job that requires excellent vision or is particularly visually strenuous or hazardous.
Ages 40 to 64
Adults between the ages of 40 and 64 should schedule an exam every one to three years. In addition to diminishing vision and increasing lens prescription changes, the lens of the eye slowly begins to harden after about age 35. This impacts near vision and is the reason many adults 45 years and over need reading glasses. This age group is also more prone to developing health conditions that contribute to vision loss such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or side effects related to prescription medications.
Ages 65 and beyond
Once you reach age 65, it is recommended that you have a complete eye exam every year. In addition to progressing age-related far-sightedness (presbyopia), seniors are more likely to develop cataracts or vision-related issues as a result of health conditions.
These are just guidelines. Your eye health and your partnership with your eye care team are as unique as your eyes are. Your optometrist may suggest a different exam schedule to meet your visual needs.
When To Come in Early
Depending on your individual needs or conditions, your optometrist may suggest having more frequent exams to ensure that your health is monitored more closely and could increase the need for more frequent exams. While you may want to wait until your next regular appointment to bring up a list of vision concerns, there are certain eye conditions and symptoms that you should address as soon as possible. Some eye emergencies can threaten your vision, and quick treatment may be the key to maintaining your eye health.
Signs and symptoms of an eye emergency could include:
• Sudden vision loss
• Eye pain
• Sudden onset of floaters & flashes
• Sudden blurred vision
• Corneal abrasion
• Chemical contact
• A foreign object in your eye
• Significant eye discharge
• Tunnel vision
• Dark spots in your visual field
When in doubt, contact your doctor or the professionals at Wise Eyes Optical to address any concerns you may have.
Your Vision Is Priceless
You only get one pair of eyes, so it pays to be thorough in protecting your sight. Eye exams are an essential component of maintaining good vision and overall health. Exams can detect eye conditions early, uncover other health problems, and ensure that you are seeing clearly with the correct prescription. At Wise Eyes Optical, our team of experienced eye care professionals is ready to make your eye exam hassle-free and help you in the mission to correct your vision. Call today to schedule an appointment with the experts at Wise Eyes Optical.
Don’t Put Off Your Eye Exam – Contact Wise Eyes Optical
Your Hometown Vision Center Serving Central Pennsylvania
Your local Wise Eyes Optical hometown vision center is here to help you achieve the best possible vision for life. We offer expert eye and vision care including eye-related medical care, custom fitting of eyeglasses and contacts, eyeglass repair, and much more. If you have questions or would like to learn more, reach out to your nearest Central Pennsylvania Wise Eyes Optical office. For assistance, call (717) 242-1915.
