How Often Should I Have My Eyes Examined?
Eyecare experts recommend that everyone have a complete eye exam every one to three years, depending on age, risk factors and physical condition.
Children. Some experts estimate that approximately one in 20 preschool children and one in four school-aged children have an eye problem that could cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Children without symptoms and who are at low risk for eye problems should have their eyes screened by six months of age, then examined at age three and again at the start of school. Risk-free children should then continue to have their eyes examined at least every two years throughout school.
Any child who does have risk factors for vision problems may need to have more frequent eye exams. Some examples of common risk factors include:
- prematurity
- developmental delays
- turned or crossed eyes
- family history of eye disease
- history of eye injury
- other physical illness or disease
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses need to be seen annually to keep their prescriptions current.
Adults. The AOA also recommends an annual eye exam for any adult who wears eyeglasses or contacts. If you don't normally need vision correction, you still need an eye exam every two to three years up to the age of 40, depending on your rate of visual change and overall health. Doctors often recommend more frequent examinations for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders, because many diseases can have an impact on the health of your eyes.
If you are over 40, it's a good idea to have your eyes examined every one to two years to check for common age-related eye problems such as presbyopia, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Because the risk of eye disease continues to increase with advancing age, everyone over the age of 60 should be examined annually. The American Optometric Association provides the general guidelines shown below. Ask your eyecare professional what interval is right for you.
Recommended Examination Frequency for the Pediatric Patient
| Patient Age or Situation | Examination Interval if Asymptomatic/Risk-Free | Examination Interval if at Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to 24 Months | By 6 months of age | By 6 months of age or as recommended |
| 2 to 5 years | At 3 years of age | At 3 years of age or as recommended |
| 6 to 18 years | Before first grade and every two years thereafter | Annually or as recommended |
| Children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses |
Annually or as recommended | Annually or as recommended |
| Reprinted with permission from the American Optometric Association | ||
Recommended Examination Frequency for the Adult Patient
| Patient Age or Situation | Examination Interval if Asymptomatic/Risk-Free | Examination Interval if at Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 40 years | Every two to three years | Every one to two years or as recommended |
| 41 to 60 years | Every two years | Every one to two years or as recommended |
| 61 and older | Annually | Annually or as recommended |
| People who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses |
Annually or as recommended | Annually or as recommended |
| Reprinted with permission from the American Optometric Association | ||
