Who needs an eye exam?
Even if you think your eyes are healthy, you will still need an eye exam from time to time. Your age and health determine when an eye exam is appropriate:
Children Five Years & Younger
Depending on your child's willingness to cooperate, his or her first eye exam should be between the ages of three and five.
School-Age Children & Adolescents
Have your child's vision checked before entering the first grade and every other year thereafter. If your child does have vision problems or you have a family history of vision problems, have your child's vision re-checked every year. The practice physicians can recommend a checkup schedule for your child.
Adults
If you do not wear glasses or contacts, have no symptoms of eye trouble, don't have a family history of eye disease, and don't have a chronic disease that puts you at risk of eye disease, such as diabetes, have an eye exam at the following intervals:
- Ages 20 and 29 - Once within This Age Range
- Ages 30 and 39 - Twice within This Age Group
- Ages 40 and 65 - Every Two to Four Years
- After Age 65 - Annually
If you wear glasses or contacts, you will need to have your eyes checked yearly, and if you notice any problems with your vision, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Blurred vision, for example, may suggest you need a prescription change. A sudden increase in the number of floaters—dark spots darting through your vision—could suggest vision-threatening changes to your retina.