Your eyes and your vision are critically important to your quality of life. The question of how often you should get an eye exam heavily depends on your age and whether you’re experiencing any vision problems.

Eye Exams Are More Than Vision Tests

It’s important to understand that an eye exam does more than measure your vision. An eye exam provides an up to date understanding of the overall health of your eye, but can also go deeper to identify conditions ailing other parts of the body.

You should know that many sight-threatening conditions if detected early, can be either cured or treated to prevent or slow the progression of any potential vision loss. Eye exams have also been known to identify other issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, potential for stroke, sickle cell disease, cancer, and more.

Follow Doctor Recommendations

If your vision is important to you, it is critical that you schedule routine examinations with a qualified eye care professional at Vistar Eye Center. If your vision hasn’t changed and you don’t have any other eye health problems, follow these recommendations for your regular eye exam schedule:

  • Children should get their first comprehensive eye examination before the age of 3, unless a specific condition or family history warrants earlier examination. After that, school-aged children should have an eye exam at least every two years if no correction is required.
  • People in their 20s and 30s should get an eye exam about every two to three years unless you experience vision changes, pain, flashes of light, floaters, injury, or tearing–when immediate care is necessary.
  • After age 40, bi-annual exams are more important because changes in vision, focus, and some eye diseases are more likely to develop. Non-eye conditions also make eye exams more important. For example, people with diabetes are at risk for several eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Vistar is Here to Help

We know you have a busy life, but when it comes to preserving your precious vision, early detection of any potential problem is critically important. If you notice yourself or your child squinting, blinking, rubbing their eyes frequently, having headaches or difficulty with visual concentration, it may be an early sign of eye problems. Your vision professionals at Vistar Eye Center recommend you schedule a comprehensive eye exam at a minimum every two years.

To safeguard your vision and secure your peace of mind, schedule your appointment today at 540-855-5100.