How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?

When should you have your eyes checked? Even if your vision is perfect and you don't require glasses, it's still important to have regular eye exams. It is an effective way to maintain your eyes healthy and gain insight into your overall health. Eye exams can detect underlying health conditions by examining internal structures. They help detect eye conditions early, before symptoms appear, which is crucial for effective treatment.

An optometrist or ophthalmologist can conduct eye exams. They include tests to assess visual acuity, muscle function, peripheral vision, and the health of the eye's internal structures. It is advised for adults with no vision problems to get their eyes checked annually. It would need to be more frequent for people with risk factors or those diagnosed with an eye condition.

Why Is It Important to Get an Eye Exam?

An eye exam can provide valuable insight into your general health as well as the condition of your eyes. The eye is the only organ where a doctor can examine the blood vessels without invasive procedures. These are a great way to gauge overall health. Eye doctors can identify underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, lupus, or high cholesterol during a comprehensive eye exam.

Additionally, many eye conditions only present symptoms once they have progressed. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment when it comes to eye conditions. Examples of these conditions include glaucoma and macular degeneration. Regular eye exams can help detect these conditions early, ensuring prompt treatment and better outcomes.

How Often Should You Get an Exam?

• Children

It is recommended that children under the age of three should have their eyes examined by a pediatric eye doctor. These exams check for common eye conditions in children and evaluate the development of their eyes.

Some of the most prevalent illnesses found in children are amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (misaligned eyes), and myopia (nearsightedness). Once a child reaches the age of three to five, a more comprehensive eye exam will be conducted to ensure their eyes are developing properly.

• School-going Children and Adolescents

To ensure that children have the best chance at academic success, they must have a comprehensive eye exam before starting kindergarten. This exam will give the eye doctor an idea of your child's visual needs. It will allow them to advise on how frequently your child should have follow-up exams in the future.

• Adults

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults without eye issues schedule an eye exam at age 40. The eye doctor will decide the frequency of future exams based on the results of this initial exam.

For adults over 60, it's recommended to have an exam every two years if no issues are present. But for those with any of the following, it may be necessary to have more frequent exams:

 

• Using prescription eyewear
   

• Having a family history of eye conditions
   

• Having an underlying disease that can affect eye health
   

• Taking medication that can have ocular side effects

What to Expect

The eye doctor will take your personal and family medical history. Then they will perform various tests to check visual ability. They will look into the health of your ocular structures. Depending on the results, they may perform more specialized tests.

For more on how often you need an eye exam, visit Advanced Vision Family Eye Care at our office in Bellingham, Washington. Call (360) 526-0075 to book an appointment today.