How Often Should I Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Your brain can adapt quite easily. When you experience changes in your vision, your brain promptly adjusts to accommodate the change. It can easily trick you into thinking you are fine.

 

Unless the vision change is dramatically or abruptly critical, it could be time to get prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Thus, you should visit your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year.

 

Recommended Eye Exam Frequency

Many factors determine the frequency of comprehensive eye exams. Some of the leading factors include age and health.

 

Comprehensive Eye Exams for Children

Eighty percent of learning comes from perception through sight. Yet, a quarter of the children population’s correctable eye issues do not get the appropriate treatment. A simple eye checkup at school does not suffice.

 

Eye care professionals recommend children have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months old. Another exam should happen when they are three years old and before beginning school. If their eyes are not at immediate risk, this should continue annually until they are 18.

 

Children at higher risk need to get an eye exam more frequently. Some risk factors for vision problems include:

 

• Low birth weight or prematurity
   

• Family history of vision issues and other genetic conditions that affect vision
   

• Inherited infection from the parent
   

• Vision functionality in only one eye
   

• Elongated use of supplementary oxygen at birth
   

• Maternal drug abuse, drinking, and smoking during pregnancy
  
   

These are just a few risk factors for vision issues in children. Also, they should have comprehensive eye exams annually if they wear contact lenses or eyeglasses.

 

Comprehensive Eye Exams for Adults

To achieve optimal vision health, adults between the ages of 18 and 60 should have a minimum of one eye exam every two years. But for the best eye care, annual comprehensive eye exams are advisable.

 

Older adults over 60 should have annual eye exams without fail. Other adults who are at risk should also get a comprehensive exam every year. In some instances, your ophthalmologist might recommend more than one eye exam yearly.

 

When to Get Frequent Eye Exams

You should have your eyes examined more often if you:

 

• Have a family history of vision loss or eye disease
   

• Are taking medications that have severe side effects on your vision
   

• Wear corrective contact lenses or eyeglasses
   

• Have a chronic illness like diabetes, putting you at a higher risk of eye disease
   

• Belong to a high-risk ethnic group like African Americans or Hispanics
   

• Have a visually demanding job or one that poses risks to your eyes. This can include mechanics, firefighters, welders, and others
  
   

If you fit in any of the categories above, an annual eye exam is advisable.

 

In Conclusion

If you are unsure about how often you or your child should get a comprehensive eye exam, ask your optometrist. The vision screening test done on your child at school does not offer any diagnosis. To get a complete picture of your or your child’s eye health, go for a comprehensive eye exam from a professional annually.


 

For more information on comprehensive eye exams, contact Cobb Corner Eye Care at our office in Stoughton, Massachusetts. You can call us at (781) 344-3335 today to schedule an appointment.