How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam? A Guide by Age

Most people fall into one of two groups. Some get an eye exam every year. Others wait until something feels wrong, like blurry vision, headaches or trouble seeing road signs at night.

Eye problems aren’t always easy to notice. Some cause symptoms, but others don’t show any warning signs. That’s what makes eye exams so important. They’re not just about getting a new pair of glasses. Comprehensive eye exams can find problems early, before they affect your vision or overall health.

How often you need an eye exam depends on your age, health and family history.

Exam eye recommendations by age

Under 18 years old

Vision problems can start very early. Newborns should get screened for eye problems after birth. Screening should happen at every pediatrician checkup.

Babies at high risk of vision problems should be urgently seen by an ophtalmologist. This includes infants with a family history of eye problems.

Every child should get their vision checked for sharpness (also known as visual acuity) by the time they’re 5 years old. After age 5, kids and teens should get screened every 1 to 2 years.

If a child has a suspected learning disability, they should also get screening for potential vision problems.

Adults ages 18-40

Healthy adults without eye problems should usually have an eye exam every 5 to 10 years. It is better to have an annual exam if you wear glasses or contacts, have a family history of eye disease or have certain health conditions, like diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure).

Why go even if nothing seems wrong? An eye exam can do more than check your vision. It may also find early signs of health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and even some cancers before you notice symptoms. The blood vessels in the back of your eye are the only ones doctors can see without surgery or specialized imaging. This can help them spot signs of disease early.

Adults 40-64

Guidelines suggest that healthy adults aged 40 to 54 years get eye exams every 2 to 4 years.

Healthy adults aged 55 to 64 years should get eye exams every 1 to 3 years.

Adults 65 and older

Starting at age 65, the recommendation is to get an eye exam every 1 to 2 years.

As you get older, your risk of eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration goes up. People with diabetes are also more likely to get diabetic eye disease. Most of these conditions are easier to treat if they’re found early.

Warning signs to watch for

Routine eye exams can catch conditions that may not be causing problems with your vision. But if you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call your doctor instead of waiting for your annual wellness visit.

• Blurry vision
• Trouble seeing in low light
• Double vision
• Unusual sensitivity to light or glare
• Eye pain that does not go away or keeps coming back
• Headaches after reading or using screens
• Floaters or flashes of light
• Watery eyes or very dry eyes

Some of these could be minor and temporary, but others can signal something that needs attention right away. When in doubt, call your optometrist or ophthalmologist rather than waiting to see if it passes.

What a full eye exam includes

If you’ve only ever had a school vision screening or driver’s license test, a full exam includes more than a vision check.

During your exam, your eye doctor will ask about your health and your family’s eye history. They will check how well you see both near and far. They will also make sure your eyes move, focus and work together the way they should.

Your doctor may also test your peripheral vision (side vision), check how your pupils respond to light and examine the retina and optic nerve. They may use eye drops to make your pupils bigger so they can see inside your eyes more clearly.

It’s important to note that online vision tests can’t replace an in-office exam. Online vision tests may give you a general idea of how clearly you see, but they can’t check the health of your eyes or find eye diseases.

Takeaway

Eye exams do more than help you see clearly. They can also find health problems early, often before you notice symptoms. Regular exams are one of the easiest ways to protect your vision and your health.

If you cannot remember your last eye exam, it might be time to schedule one.

Ophthalmology deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat both medical and surgical eye problems in patients of all ages. At Crystal Run, our team consists of highly skilled ophthalmologists that offer complete medical and surgical eye care, from simple evaluations for eyeglasses to complex and delicate eye surgery.