If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, now’s the time to schedule one! Regular eye exams are crucial for spotting eye conditions early when treatment is most effective. Even if you have perfect vision, you could still have an eye disease. Some diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration have no symptoms in the early stages, and a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to detect them.
Generally speaking, you should get an eye exam every one to two years. However, there are several factors that influence how often you need an eye exam, such as age, family history of eye conditions, existing health issues, or whether you wear glasses or contact lenses. In this blog, we’ll talk about some of these factors to help you determine how often you should get an eye exam. But first, let’s discuss why it’s important to schedule regular eye exams.
Why do I need regular eye exams?
Regular visits with your eye doctor are crucial for spotting common eye issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. If they detect any problems, your eye doctor can recommend treatment options like glasses or contacts. Eye exams are also an important part of finding eye diseases early such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. You might be surprised at what else your eye doctor can detect! Along with eye-related issues, an optometrist can also spot early signs of other diseases lurking in your body, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and even certain cancers.
How often should adults get eye exams?
Adults without any vision issues should get an eye exam every two years. If you wear glasses or contacts, have a family history of eye disease, or are at risk for or have medical conditions like diabetes, more frequent checks may be necessary. People over 40 should have annual eye exams because this is when vision problems like presbyopia (loss of up-close vision due to aging) typically develop, even if you have no previous vision problems. Your eye doctor can recommend the best schedule for your specific requirements.
How often should children get eye exams?
Experts recommend children have their first eye checkup at around 6 months old, followed by another at age three, and one more before starting school. Once children are in school, they should see an eye doctor every two years if they have no vision problems or annually if they need glasses or contacts. Children’s eyes are constantly changing and growing, and regular eye exams are important in ensuring they have the visual skills necessary for excelling in school.
How often should seniors get eye exams?
Your risk for certain eye diseases and conditions increases as you get older. For this reason, people aged 60 and older should see an eye doctor at least every year. Regular eye exams help protect your eyesight from sight-threatening eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Remember that regular eye exams are key to maintaining good vision and catching any potential issues early on. So don’t put off scheduling that appointment—contact us today to book an eye exam in Mansfield, Fort Worth, DeSoto, or Cedar Hill, Texas.