Life gets busy, and it’s easy to forget about scheduling an eye exam. You might think, “My vision seems fine, so I probably don’t need one.” But eye exams do more than check how well you see—they can detect early signs of eye conditions that don’t always have obvious symptoms. Regular check-ups allow your eye doctor to catch and treat these issues before they affect your vision. So, how often should you get your eyes checked?
How often should you get an eye exam?
The recommended frequency of eye exams depends on your age, risk factors, and vision needs. Here are some general guidelines for both children and adults:
Infants and children:
- Infants (six months old): The American Optometric Association recommends scheduling a baby’s first comprehensive eye exam at around six months to ensure their vision is developing properly. At Family Eyecare of Orange, we participate in the InfantSEE® program, providing free, one-time InfantSEE® eye exams in Orange, CT for children ages six to twelve months.
- Around three years old: A follow-up exam helps identify vision problems that could affect learning and development.
- Right before starting school (around five years old): An exam before kindergarten helps ensure your child can see clearly for school activities.
- School-aged children: Once in school, children should have an eye exam every one to two years, especially if they need vision correction or have a family history of vision problems.
Adults:
- Ages 18 to 39: Adults with no symptoms or known risk factors should have an eye exam every two years. If you wear glasses or contacts or have a high risk of eye issues, it’s important to schedule eye exams at least once a year.
- Ages 40 to 64: As people get older, vision changes are common and can include difficulty seeing objects up close (presbyopia), cataracts, and glaucoma. During these years, you should schedule an eye exam every two years to check for developing eye issues or vision problems. If you wear contact lenses or glasses or have risk factors like a family history of eye disease or certain medical conditions, you should see an eye doctor every year.
- Ages 65 and older: At this stage, annual eye exams are crucial because the risk of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration increases.
High-risk individuals:
Some people need more frequent eye exams regardless of age. You may fall into this category if you:
- Have a personal or family history of eye disease
- Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health conditions that affect the eyes
- Work in an environment that strains your eyes, like staring at screens all day
- Take medications with possible eye-related side effects
- Have had previous eye surgeries or injuries
For these individuals, annual or even more frequent exams may be necessary.
In conclusion
Your eyes work hard for you every day, so give them the care they deserve! At Family Eyecare of Orange, we offer eye care services for all ages, from infants to seniors. Our friendly and experienced local optometrists are here to help you maintain healthy vision for life.
Don’t wait until you notice a problem—schedule your eye exam in Orange today! Call Family Eyecare of Orange to book an appointment.